IHF vs VYM
iShares US Health Care Providers ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IHF or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IHF led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 71.8%.
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 | IHF | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.2B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.92% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 64 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +15.39%Best | +10.96% |
| 1Y Return | +15.58%Best | +15.42% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.20% | +17.78%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.86% | +12.05%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.6% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -58.8%Tie | -58.8%Tie |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,965 | $17,663Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 71.8% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 1, 2006 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 22, 2026 (19.8 years).
IHF 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.
IHF vs VYM Performance
iShares US Health Care Providers ETF (IHF) 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 IHF returned +15.58% while VYM returned +15.42%. Year to date, IHF is up 15.39% versus a gain of 10.96% for VYM.
Over three years, IHF compounded at +4.20% per year against +17.78% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +1.86% and +12.05% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, IHF has the edge at +9.16% annualized vs +6.80%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IHF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.6% 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 -58.8% for IHF 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 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IHF 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, IHF currently yields 0.92% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
53.7% of IHF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 3.0% of VYM's money is in holdings IHF also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
7 positions in common, counted across the 60 positions we hold weights for in IHF and 557 in VYM, against full books of 64 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 60 and 557 positions we hold weights for.
VYM holds 521 positions IHF does not, 94.1% of the fund.
Largest: AVGO 7.35%, JPM 3.82%, XOM 2.63%, JNJ 2.51%, CSCO 1.86%
53.7% of IHF 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, IHF or VYM?
IHF 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, IHF or VYM?
Over the past year IHF returned +15.58% vs +15.42% for VYM, so IHF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IHF annualized +9.16% vs +6.80% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IHF or VYM?
IHF has been the more volatile fund at 19.6% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IHF -58.8% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both IHF and VYM?
IHF and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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 IHF and VYM?
53.7% of IHF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 3.0% of VYM's is in holdings IHF also owns. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 60 positions we hold weights for in IHF and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IHF or VYM?
IHF yields 0.92% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IHF?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IHF led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 71.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.