IEO vs VYM
iShares US Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IEO or VYM?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IEO led over 1Y and 5Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 71.3%.
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 | IEO | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $628M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.70% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 50 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +56.15%Best | +13.15% |
| 1Y Return | +56.35%Best | +17.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.27% | +17.99%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +26.42%Best | +12.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 32.4% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -80.7% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $32,291Best | $17,750 |
| Top 10 Weight | 71.3% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | 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 10, 2026 (19.8 years).
IEO 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.
IEO vs VYM Performance
iShares US Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (IEO) 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 IEO returned +56.35% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, IEO is up 56.15% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, IEO compounded at +15.27% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +26.42% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.91% annualized vs +6.41%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IEO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 32.4% 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 -80.7% for IEO 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 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IEO 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, IEO currently yields 1.70% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
88.3% of IEO's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.8% of VYM's money is in holdings IEO also owns.
Most of IEO is already inside VYM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
25 positions in common, counted across the 47 positions we hold weights for in IEO and 603 in VYM, against full books of 50 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 47 and 603 positions we hold weights for.
VYM holds 543 positions IEO does not, 94.7% 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 IEO | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COPConocophillips Co | 17.66% | 0.53% | 17.13% |
| VLOValero Energy Corp. | 11.31% | 0.32% | 10.99% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp. | 10.95% | 0.31% | 10.64% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 6.28% | 0.29% | 5.99% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 4.94% | 0.28% | 4.66% |
| EQTEqt Corp | 4.31% | 0.13% | 4.18% |
| FANGDiamondback Energy Inc. | 4.20% | 0.14% | 4.06% |
| DVNDevon Energy Corp. | 4.00% | 0.19% | 3.81% |
| CHKChesapeake Energy Corp | 3.78% | 0.09% | 3.69% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 2.78% | 0.06% | 2.72% |
88.3% of IEO 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IEO or VYM?
IEO 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, IEO or VYM?
Over the past year IEO returned +56.35% vs +17.82% for VYM, so IEO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IEO annualized +6.41% vs +6.91% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IEO or VYM?
IEO has been the more volatile fund at 32.4% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IEO -80.7% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both IEO and VYM?
IEO and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, 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 IEO and VYM?
88.3% of IEO's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.8% of VYM's is in holdings IEO also owns. They hold 25 positions in common, counted across the 47 positions we hold weights for in IEO and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IEO or VYM?
IEO yields 1.70% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IEO?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IEO led over 1Y and 5Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 71.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.