IGF vs VYM
iShares Global Infrastructure ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IGF or VYM?
VYM has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.3%.
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 | IGF | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $10.4B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.96% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 98 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +3.42% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.73% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.65% | +17.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.62% | +12.30%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.5% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.5% | -56.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,829 | $17,861Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 39.3% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 10, 2007 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 12, 2007 to Sep 18, 2026 (18.8 years).
IGF 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 18.8 years both funds cover.
IGF vs VYM Performance
iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (IGF) 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 IGF returned +7.73% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, IGF is up 3.42% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, IGF compounded at +14.65% per year against +17.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +9.62% and +12.30% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.97% annualized vs +2.04%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IGF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.5% compared with 14.8% 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 -59.5% for IGF and -56.5% 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 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IGF 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, IGF currently yields 2.96% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
30.7% of IGF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 4.2% of VYM's money is in holdings IGF also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
16 positions in common, counted across the 76 positions we hold weights for in IGF and 557 in VYM, against full books of 98 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 512 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IGF (92.8% of the fund), and 11 for IGF that do not appear in VYM (9.6%).
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 IGF | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 4.75% | 0.74% | 4.01% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 3.25% | 0.35% | 2.90% |
| SOSouthern Co. | 2.75% | 0.43% | 2.32% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp | 2.64% | 0.40% | 2.24% |
| KMIKinder Morgan Inc./de | 2.24% | 0.25% | 1.99% |
| TRGPTarga Resources Corp Preferred | 2.24% | 0.23% | 2.01% |
| OKEOneok Inc. | 2.14% | 0.23% | 1.91% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 1.88% | 0.28% | 1.60% |
| DDominion Energy Inc. | 1.60% | 0.25% | 1.35% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 1.51% | 0.24% | 1.27% |
30.7% of IGF 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.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IGF or VYM?
IGF 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, IGF or VYM?
Over the past year IGF returned +7.73% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), IGF annualized +2.04% vs +6.97% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IGF or VYM?
IGF has been the more volatile fund at 16.5% annualized versus 14.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IGF -59.5% vs VYM -56.5%.
Should I hold both IGF and VYM?
IGF and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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 IGF and VYM?
30.7% of IGF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 4.2% of VYM's is in holdings IGF also owns. They hold 16 positions in common, counted across the 76 positions we hold weights for in IGF and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IGF or VYM?
IGF yields 2.96% while VYM yields 2.22%, so IGF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IGF?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.