HERD vs VYM
Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, HERD or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. HERD led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | HERD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.74% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $108M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.73% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 7 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +18.50%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +26.31%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.43% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.10% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.3% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.4% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,927 | $17,845Best |
| Top 10 Weight | - | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 3, 2019 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 7, 2019 to Sep 4, 2026 (7.3 years).
HERD vs VYM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 7.3 years both funds cover.
HERD vs VYM Performance
Pacer Cash Cows Fund of Funds ETF (HERD) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HERD returned +26.31% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, HERD is up 18.50% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, HERD compounded at +16.43% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +11.10% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, HERD has the edge at +13.38% annualized vs +11.57%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HERD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.3% compared with 15.1% for VYM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -39.4% for HERD and -35.7% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HERD charges 0.74% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $74 vs $4 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HERD currently yields 2.73% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 6 holdings in HERD and 603 in VYM, totalling 100.0% and 99.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 6 positions we hold weights for in HERD and 603 in VYM, against full books of 7 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 570 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for HERD (97.4% of the fund), and 6 for HERD that do not appear in VYM (100.0%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HERD and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, HERD or VYM?
HERD has an expense ratio of 0.74% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HERD or VYM?
Over the past year HERD returned +26.31% vs +20.84% for VYM, so HERD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), HERD annualized +13.38% vs +11.57% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HERD or VYM?
HERD has been the more volatile fund at 18.3% annualized versus 15.1% for VYM. Worst drawdown: HERD -39.4% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both HERD and VYM?
HERD and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, HERD or VYM?
HERD yields 2.73% while VYM yields 2.24%, so HERD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than HERD?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. HERD led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.