ICSH vs VYM
iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ICSH or VYM?
Ultrashort Term 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 | ICSH | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.08% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $8.6B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.27% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 393 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -0.34% | +15.29%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.77% | +22.23%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +3.94% | +18.81%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.22% | +12.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.3%Best | 13.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -23.3%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,717 | $17,734Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Ultrashort Term Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 11, 2013 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 13, 2013 to Sep 3, 2026 (12.7 years).
ICSH 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 12.7 years both funds cover.
ICSH vs VYM Performance
iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH) 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 ICSH returned +0.77% while VYM returned +22.23%. Year to date, ICSH is down 0.34% versus a gain of 15.29% for VYM.
Over three years, ICSH compounded at +3.94% per year against +18.81% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +3.22% and +12.14% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.55% annualized vs +2.09%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.5% compared with 10.3% for ICSH. 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 -23.3% for ICSH 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 0.06. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ICSH charges 0.08% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $8 vs $4 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ICSH currently yields 4.27% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 117 holdings in ICSH and 603 in VYM, totalling 20.6% and 99.5% 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 117 positions we hold weights for in ICSH and 603 in VYM, against full books of 393 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ICSH and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ICSH or VYM?
ICSH has an expense ratio of 0.08% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ICSH or VYM?
Over the past year ICSH returned +0.77% vs +22.23% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), ICSH annualized +2.09% vs +9.55% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ICSH or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.5% annualized versus 10.3% for ICSH. Worst drawdown: ICSH -23.3% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both ICSH and VYM?
ICSH and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.06, 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, ICSH or VYM?
ICSH yields 4.27% while VYM yields 2.24%, so ICSH currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ICSH?
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.