IAT vs VYM
iShares US Regional Banks ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IAT or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IAT led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 69.5%.
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 | IAT | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $650M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.55% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 35 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +14.21% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.17% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.76%Best | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.83% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 25.8% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -78.8% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,660 | $17,845Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 69.5% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 1, 2006 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 4, 2026 (19.8 years).
IAT 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
IAT vs VYM Performance
iShares US Regional Banks ETF (IAT) 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 IAT returned +18.17% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, IAT is up 14.21% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, IAT compounded at +24.76% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +4.83% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +7.00% annualized vs +1.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IAT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 25.8% compared with 14.5% 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 -78.8% for IAT and -58.8% 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IAT charges 0.37% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $37 vs $4 annually, a gap of $33 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IAT currently yields 2.55% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
96.7% of IAT's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.6% of VYM's money is in holdings IAT also owns.
Most of IAT is already inside VYM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
30 positions in common, counted across the 32 positions we hold weights for in IAT and 603 in VYM, against full books of 35 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 32 and 603 positions we hold weights for.
VYM holds 540 positions IAT does not, 94.8% of the fund.
Largest: AVGO 7.29%, JPM 3.38%, JNJ 2.54%, XOM 2.36%, CAT 2.01%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IAT | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PNCPnc Financial Services Group Inc. | 14.88% | 0.41% | 14.47% |
| USBUS Bancorp | 14.46% | 0.39% | 14.07% |
| TFCTruist Financial Corp. | 9.55% | 0.26% | 9.29% |
| FITBFifth Third Bancorp | 6.27% | 0.21% | 6.06% |
| CFGCitizens Financial Group Inc. | 4.65% | 0.12% | 4.53% |
| MTBM&T Bank Corp | 4.62% | 0.15% | 4.47% |
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 4.29% | 0.15% | 4.14% |
| RFEurazeo | 4.23% | 0.11% | 4.12% |
| KEYKeycorp | 3.31% | 0.09% | 3.22% |
| EWBCEast West Bancorp, Inc. | 2.84% | 0.07% | 2.77% |
96.7% of IAT 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, IAT or VYM?
IAT has an expense ratio of 0.37% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $33 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IAT or VYM?
Over the past year IAT returned +18.17% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IAT annualized +1.91% vs +7.00% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IAT or VYM?
IAT has been the more volatile fund at 25.8% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IAT -78.8% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both IAT and VYM?
IAT and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 IAT and VYM?
96.7% of IAT's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.6% of VYM's is in holdings IAT also owns. They hold 30 positions in common, counted across the 32 positions we hold weights for in IAT and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IAT or VYM?
IAT yields 2.55% while VYM yields 2.24%, so IAT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IAT?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IAT led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 69.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.