HYEM vs VYM
VanEck Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, HYEM or VYM?
VYM has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | HYEM | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $522M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.77% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 548 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +2.78% | +9.59%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.20% | +13.66%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.17% | +17.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.09% | +11.51%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.6%Best | 13.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.3% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,643 | $17,241Best |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 8, 2012 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 9, 2012 to Sep 28, 2026 (14.4 years).
HYEM 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 14.4 years both funds cover.
HYEM vs VYM Performance
VanEck Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HYEM returned +4.20% while VYM returned +13.66%. Year to date, HYEM is up 2.78% versus a gain of 9.59% for VYM.
Over three years, HYEM compounded at +10.17% per year against +17.87% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +3.09% and +11.51% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.91% annualized vs +0.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.1% compared with 8.6% for HYEM. 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 -39.3% for HYEM 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 0.58. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HYEM charges 0.40% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $4 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HYEM currently yields 6.77% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 313 holdings in HYEM and 557 in VYM, totalling 60.2% 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 313 positions we hold weights for in HYEM and 557 in VYM, against full books of 548 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HYEM 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, HYEM or VYM?
HYEM has an expense ratio of 0.40% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HYEM or VYM?
Over the past year HYEM returned +4.20% vs +13.66% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), HYEM annualized +0.74% vs +9.91% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HYEM or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.1% annualized versus 8.6% for HYEM. Worst drawdown: HYEM -39.3% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both HYEM and VYM?
HYEM and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.58, 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, HYEM or VYM?
HYEM yields 6.77% while VYM yields 2.22%, so HYEM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than HYEM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.