HYUP vs VYM
Xtrackers High Beta High Yield Bond ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, HYUP or VYM?
High Yield Bond against Large Cap Value.
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 | HYUP | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $46M | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.47% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,376 | 608 |
| YTD Return | -0.80% | +9.22%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.01% | +12.81%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.71% | +18.21%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.50% | +11.39%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.4%Best | 15.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -26.5%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,877 | $17,149Best |
| Fund Family | Xtrackers ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 11, 2018 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 11, 2018 to Oct 1, 2026 (8.7 years).
HYUP 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 8.7 years both funds cover.
HYUP vs VYM Performance
Xtrackers High Beta High Yield Bond ETF (HYUP) is an ETF from Xtrackers ETFs and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HYUP returned +0.01% while VYM returned +12.81%. Year to date, HYUP is down 0.80% versus a gain of 9.22% for VYM.
Over three years, HYUP compounded at +8.71% per year against +18.21% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +3.50% and +11.39% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +8.82% annualized vs +1.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 9.4% for HYUP. 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 -26.5% for HYUP 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HYUP charges 0.20% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $4 annually, a gap of $16 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HYUP currently yields 7.47% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 450 holdings in HYUP and 557 in VYM, totalling 61.5% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, HYUP as of Sep 15, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 450 positions we hold weights for in HYUP and 557 in VYM, against full books of 1,376 and 608.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HYUP 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, HYUP or VYM?
HYUP has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HYUP or VYM?
Over the past year HYUP returned +0.01% vs +12.81% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), HYUP annualized +1.99% vs +8.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HYUP or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 9.4% for HYUP. Worst drawdown: HYUP -26.5% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both HYUP and VYM?
HYUP and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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, HYUP or VYM?
HYUP yields 7.47% while VYM yields 2.22%, so HYUP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than HYUP?
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.