HWSM vs VYM
Hotchkis & Wiley SMID Cap Diversified Value Fund ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, HWSM or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. HWSM is less concentrated, with 17.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | HWSM | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $3M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.14% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 166 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +14.06%Best | +13.91% |
| 1Y Return | +15.90% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.12% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.9% | 9.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -15.7% | -11.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $12,744 | $12,920Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 17.1%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Hotchkis & Wiley Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 31, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 31, 2025 to Sep 11, 2026 (1.4 years).
HWSM 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 1.4 years both funds cover.
HWSM vs VYM Performance
Hotchkis & Wiley SMID Cap Diversified Value Fund ETF (HWSM) is an ETF from Hotchkis & Wiley Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HWSM returned +15.90% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, HWSM is up 14.06% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HWSM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.9% compared with 9.4% 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 -15.7% for HWSM and -11.3% 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HWSM charges 0.55% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $4 annually, a gap of $51 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HWSM currently yields 1.14% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
53.5% of HWSM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 4.4% of VYM's money is in holdings HWSM also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, HWSM as of Aug 17, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
95 positions in common, counted across the 165 positions we hold weights for in HWSM and 603 in VYM, against full books of 166 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 475 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for HWSM (93.3% of the fund), and 65 for HWSM that do not appear in VYM (43.0%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in HWSM | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DDominion Energy Inc. | 1.86% | 0.25% | 1.61% |
| PPGPpg Industries Inc. | 1.89% | 0.11% | 1.78% |
| APAApa Corp | 1.67% | 0.05% | 1.62% |
| STTState Street Corp. | 1.34% | 0.19% | 1.15% |
| AIGAmerican International Gr | 1.26% | 0.16% | 1.10% |
| TRVTravelers Cos., Inc. | 1.05% | 0.29% | 0.76% |
| SWKStanley Black & Decker Inc. | 1.14% | 0.06% | 1.08% |
| TKRTimken Co | 1.14% | 0.04% | 1.10% |
| EXCExelon Corp. | 0.80% | 0.20% | 0.60% |
| LEALear Corp. | 0.95% | 0.03% | 0.92% |
53.5% of HWSM is already inside VYM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, HWSM or VYM?
HWSM has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $51 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HWSM or VYM?
Over the past year HWSM returned +15.90% vs +17.57% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), HWSM annualized +18.91% vs +20.08% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HWSM or VYM?
HWSM has been the more volatile fund at 11.9% annualized versus 9.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: HWSM -15.7% vs VYM -11.3%.
Should I hold both HWSM and VYM?
HWSM and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between HWSM and VYM?
53.5% of HWSM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 4.4% of VYM's is in holdings HWSM also owns. They hold 95 positions in common, counted across the 165 positions we hold weights for in HWSM and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, HWSM or VYM?
HWSM yields 1.14% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than HWSM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. HWSM is less concentrated, with 17.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.