IFV vs VYM
First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IFV or VYM?
Large Cap Blend 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 | IFV | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.14% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $227M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.83% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 12 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +4.02% | +10.96%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.97% | +15.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.19% | +17.78%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.56% | +12.05%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.4% | 13.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -51.2% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,498 | $17,663Best |
| Top 10 Weight | - | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 22, 2014 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 23, 2014 to Sep 22, 2026 (12.2 years).
IFV 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 12.2 years both funds cover.
IFV vs VYM Performance
First Trust Dorsey Wright International Focus 5 ETF (IFV) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IFV returned +8.97% while VYM returned +15.42%. Year to date, IFV is up 4.02% versus a gain of 10.96% for VYM.
Over three years, IFV compounded at +15.19% per year against +17.78% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +4.56% and +12.05% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +8.74% annualized vs +3.15%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IFV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% compared with 13.8% 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 -51.2% for IFV 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IFV charges 1.14% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $114 vs $4 annually, a gap of $110 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IFV currently yields 1.83% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 5 holdings in IFV and 557 in VYM, totalling 99.9% and 99.2% 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 5 positions we hold weights for in IFV and 557 in VYM, against full books of 12 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 528 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IFV (97.1% of the fund), and 5 for IFV that do not appear in VYM (99.9%).
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 IFV 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, IFV or VYM?
IFV has an expense ratio of 1.14% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $110 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IFV or VYM?
Over the past year IFV returned +8.97% vs +15.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), IFV annualized +3.15% vs +8.74% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IFV or VYM?
IFV has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 13.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IFV -51.2% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both IFV and VYM?
IFV and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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, IFV or VYM?
IFV yields 1.83% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IFV?
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.