IFRA vs VYM
iShares US Infrastructure ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IFRA or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IFRA led over 5Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 3Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.0%.
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 | IFRA | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $4.2B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.66% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 168 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +5.18% | +10.23%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.22% | +14.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.21% | +17.50%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.08%Best | +11.60% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.8% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -41.1% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,686Best | $17,311 |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.0% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 3, 2018 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 5, 2018 to Sep 23, 2026 (8.5 years).
IFRA 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 8.5 years both funds cover.
IFRA vs VYM Performance
iShares US Infrastructure ETF (IFRA) 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 IFRA returned +8.22% while VYM returned +14.28%. Year to date, IFRA is up 5.18% versus a gain of 10.23% for VYM.
Over three years, IFRA compounded at +16.21% per year against +17.50% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +12.08% and +11.60% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, IFRA has the edge at +10.92% annualized vs +9.88%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IFRA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.8% compared with 15.3% 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 -41.1% for IFRA 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IFRA charges 0.30% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $30 vs $4 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IFRA currently yields 1.66% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
57.6% of IFRA's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.2% of VYM's money is in holdings IFRA also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
62 positions in common, counted across the 162 positions we hold weights for in IFRA and 557 in VYM, against full books of 168 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 467 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IFRA (87.9% of the fund), and 87 for IFRA that do not appear in VYM (34.0%).
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 IFRA | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 4.48% | 0.70% | 3.78% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 3.62% | 1.50% | 2.12% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 4.05% | 0.74% | 3.31% |
| SOSouthern Co. | 2.91% | 0.43% | 2.48% |
| NSCNorfolk Southern Corp | 2.84% | 0.31% | 2.53% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp | 2.75% | 0.40% | 2.35% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 2.68% | 0.35% | 2.33% |
| NUENucor Corp. | 2.17% | 0.23% | 1.94% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 1.95% | 0.28% | 1.67% |
| KMIKinder Morgan Inc./de | 1.83% | 0.25% | 1.58% |
57.6% of IFRA 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, IFRA or VYM?
IFRA has an expense ratio of 0.30% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IFRA or VYM?
Over the past year IFRA returned +8.22% vs +14.28% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), IFRA annualized +10.92% vs +9.88% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IFRA or VYM?
IFRA has been the more volatile fund at 19.8% annualized versus 15.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IFRA -41.1% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both IFRA and VYM?
IFRA and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IFRA and VYM?
57.6% of IFRA's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.2% of VYM's is in holdings IFRA also owns. They hold 62 positions in common, counted across the 162 positions we hold weights for in IFRA and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IFRA or VYM?
IFRA yields 1.66% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IFRA?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IFRA led over 5Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 3Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.