IGE vs VYM
iShares North American Natural Resources ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IGE or VYM?
Each has led over a different period.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IGE led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.7%.
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 | IGE | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $754M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.80% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 156 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +27.81%Best | +13.08% |
| 1Y Return | +37.37%Best | +17.46% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.59% | +17.73%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +21.09%Best | +12.22% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 42.2% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -72.3% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $26,034Best | $17,797 |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.7% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 22, 2001 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 14, 2026 (19.8 years).
IGE 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.
IGE vs VYM Performance
iShares North American Natural Resources ETF (IGE) 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 IGE returned +37.37% while VYM returned +17.46%. Year to date, IGE is up 27.81% versus a gain of 13.08% for VYM.
Over three years, IGE compounded at +17.59% per year against +17.73% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +21.09% and +12.22% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, IGE has the edge at +10.25% annualized vs +6.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IGE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 42.2% 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 -72.3% for IGE 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 0.44. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IGE 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, IGE currently yields 1.80% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
58.8% of IGE's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 10.1% of VYM's money is in holdings IGE also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
54 positions in common, counted across the 149 positions we hold weights for in IGE and 557 in VYM, against full books of 156 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 475 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IGE (86.9% of the fund), and 48 for IGE that do not appear in VYM (12.7%).
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 IGE | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 9.54% | 2.63% | 6.91% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 9.36% | 1.48% | 7.88% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 3.92% | 0.60% | 3.32% |
| NEMNewmont Corp Common | 3.26% | 0.41% | 2.85% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 2.64% | 0.38% | 2.26% |
| VLOValero Energy | 2.59% | 0.38% | 2.21% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 2.40% | 0.34% | 2.06% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 2.23% | 0.35% | 1.88% |
| SLBSchlumberger Nv. | 2.18% | 0.30% | 1.88% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 1.87% | 0.32% | 1.55% |
58.8% of IGE 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, IGE or VYM?
IGE 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, IGE or VYM?
Over the past year IGE returned +37.37% vs +17.46% for VYM, so IGE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IGE annualized +10.25% vs +6.91% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IGE or VYM?
IGE has been the more volatile fund at 42.2% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IGE -72.3% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both IGE and VYM?
IGE and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.44, 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 IGE and VYM?
58.8% of IGE's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 10.1% of VYM's is in holdings IGE also owns. They hold 54 positions in common, counted across the 149 positions we hold weights for in IGE and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IGE or VYM?
IGE yields 1.80% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IGE?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IGE led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.