HIMU vs VYM
iShares High Yield Muni Active ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, HIMU or VYM?
High Yield Bond against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | HIMU | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.5B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.27% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 909 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -3.96% | +11.47%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.70% | +15.94%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.03% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.35% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.1%Best | 10.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.0%Best | -14.5% |
| $10,000 over 1.6 years | $9,677 | $12,429Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 7, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 10, 2025 to Sep 21, 2026 (1.6 years).
HIMU 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 1.6 years both funds cover.
HIMU vs VYM Performance
iShares High Yield Muni Active ETF (HIMU) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HIMU returned -3.70% while VYM returned +15.94%. Year to date, HIMU is down 3.96% versus a gain of 11.47% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.3% compared with 6.1% for HIMU. 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 -8.0% for HIMU and -14.5% 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 0.60. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HIMU charges 0.39% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $4 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HIMU currently yields 5.27% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 217 holdings in HIMU and 557 in VYM, totalling 37.2% and 99.2% 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 217 positions we hold weights for in HIMU and 557 in VYM, against full books of 909 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HIMU 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, HIMU or VYM?
HIMU has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HIMU or VYM?
Over the past year HIMU returned -3.70% vs +15.94% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), HIMU annualized -2.03% vs +14.56% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HIMU or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 10.3% annualized versus 6.1% for HIMU. Worst drawdown: HIMU -8.0% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both HIMU and VYM?
HIMU and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.60, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, HIMU or VYM?
HIMU yields 5.27% while VYM yields 2.22%, so HIMU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than HIMU?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.