IEV vs VYM
iShares Europe ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IEV or VYM?
VYM has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IEV is less concentrated, with 21.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | IEV | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.71% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 377 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +3.77% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.63% | +13.75%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.30% | +18.81%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.43% | +11.63%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.9% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -65.6% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,692 | $17,334Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 21.2%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 25, 2000 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Oct 2, 2026 (19.9 years).
IEV 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 19.9 years both funds cover.
IEV vs VYM Performance
iShares Europe ETF (IEV) 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 IEV returned +9.63% while VYM returned +13.75%. Year to date, IEV is up 3.77% versus a gain of 10.00% for VYM.
Over three years, IEV compounded at +18.30% per year against +18.81% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +9.43% and +11.63% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.74% annualized vs +2.45%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IEV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.9% compared with 14.6% 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 -65.6% for IEV 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IEV charges 0.60% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $4 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IEV currently yields 2.71% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
0.6% of IEV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.4% of VYM's money is in holdings IEV also owns.
VYM and IEV share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 360 positions we hold weights for in IEV and 557 in VYM, against full books of 377 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 526 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IEV (95.7% of the fund), and 11 for IEV that do not appear in VYM (8.1%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IEV 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, IEV or VYM?
IEV has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IEV or VYM?
Over the past year IEV returned +9.63% vs +13.75% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IEV annualized +2.45% vs +6.74% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IEV or VYM?
IEV has been the more volatile fund at 18.9% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IEV -65.6% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both IEV and VYM?
IEV and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 IEV and VYM?
1.4% of VYM's money is in holdings IEV also owns. 1.4% of VYM's is in holdings IEV also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 360 positions we hold weights for in IEV and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IEV or VYM?
IEV yields 2.71% while VYM yields 2.22%, so IEV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IEV?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IEV is less concentrated, with 21.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.