IDYN vs VYM
iShares International Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IDYN or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IDYN led over 1Y, VYM over the full window. IDYN is less concentrated, with 20.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | IDYN | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $110M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.81% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 200 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +11.71% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +22.50%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.5% | 9.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -12.7% | -6.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $12,565 | $12,567Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 20.5%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 5, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 7, 2025 to Sep 4, 2026 (1.1 years).
IDYN 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 1.1 years both funds cover.
IDYN vs VYM Performance
iShares International Equity Factor Rotation Active ETF (IDYN) 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 IDYN returned +22.50% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, IDYN is up 11.71% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IDYN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.5% compared with 9.0% 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 -12.7% for IDYN and -6.7% 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
IDYN charges 0.45% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $4 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IDYN currently yields 1.81% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
1.4% of IDYN's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.1% of VYM's money is in holdings IDYN also owns.
IDYN and VYM share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 188 positions we hold weights for in IDYN and 602 in VYM, against full books of 200 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 568 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IDYN (97.1% of the fund), and 6 for IDYN that do not appear in VYM (3.8%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IDYN | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DGDollar General Corp. | 1.35% | 0.11% | 1.24% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IDYN 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, IDYN or VYM?
IDYN has an expense ratio of 0.45% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $41 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IDYN or VYM?
Over the past year IDYN returned +22.50% vs +20.84% for VYM, so IDYN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), IDYN annualized +23.07% vs +23.09% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IDYN or VYM?
IDYN has been the more volatile fund at 13.5% annualized versus 9.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IDYN -12.7% vs VYM -6.7%.
Should I hold both IDYN and VYM?
IDYN 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.
What is the holdings overlap between IDYN and VYM?
1.4% of IDYN's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.1% of VYM's is in holdings IDYN also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 188 positions we hold weights for in IDYN and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IDYN or VYM?
IDYN yields 1.81% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IDYN?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IDYN led over 1Y, VYM over the full window. IDYN is less concentrated, with 20.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.