IBTQ vs VYM
iShares iBonds Dec 2035 Term Treasury ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IBTQ or VYM?
VYM has been ahead.
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 | IBTQ | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.07% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $243M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.70% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 6 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +0.42% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.70% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.4%Best | 9.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -4.0%Best | -11.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $10,690 | $13,004Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 25, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 26, 2025 to Sep 10, 2026 (1.5 years).
IBTQ 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
IBTQ vs VYM Performance
iShares iBonds Dec 2035 Term Treasury ETF (IBTQ) 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 IBTQ returned +0.70% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, IBTQ is up 0.42% versus a gain of 13.15% 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 9.5% compared with 4.4% for IBTQ. 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 -4.0% for IBTQ 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 0.41. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IBTQ charges 0.07% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $7 vs $4 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IBTQ currently yields 6.70% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 4 holdings in IBTQ and 603 in VYM, totalling 76.5% and 99.5% 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 62 days apart, IBTQ as of Aug 31, 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 4 positions we hold weights for in IBTQ and 603 in VYM, against full books of 6 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IBTQ 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, IBTQ or VYM?
IBTQ has an expense ratio of 0.07% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IBTQ or VYM?
Over the past year IBTQ returned +0.70% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), IBTQ annualized +4.55% vs +19.14% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IBTQ or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 9.5% annualized versus 4.4% for IBTQ. Worst drawdown: IBTQ -4.0% vs VYM -11.3%.
Should I hold both IBTQ and VYM?
IBTQ and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.41, 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, IBTQ or VYM?
IBTQ yields 6.70% while VYM yields 2.22%, so IBTQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IBTQ?
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.