IJH vs VYM
iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IJH or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IJH led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. IJH is less concentrated, with 7.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | IJH | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $123.7B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.18% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 413 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +10.92% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.38% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.03% | +17.99%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.97% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.3% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -56.1%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,673 | $17,750Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 7.8%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 22, 2000 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 10, 2026 (19.8 years).
IJH 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.
IJH vs VYM Performance
iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) 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 IJH returned +14.38% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, IJH is up 10.92% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, IJH compounded at +14.03% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +7.97% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, IJH has the edge at +8.36% annualized vs +6.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IJH has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.3% 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 -56.1% for IJH 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IJH charges 0.05% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $4 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IJH currently yields 1.18% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
29.8% of IJH's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 4.3% of VYM's money is in holdings IJH also owns.
IJH and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, IJH as of Aug 31, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
143 positions in common, counted across the 400 positions we hold weights for in IJH and 603 in VYM, against full books of 413 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 426 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IJH (93.2% of the fund), and 250 for IJH that do not appear in VYM (66.9%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IJH | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. | 0.55% | 0.08% | 0.47% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 0.51% | 0.06% | 0.45% |
| PRCentennial Resource Development Inc/de | 0.51% | 0.06% | 0.45% |
| EWBCEast West Bancorp, Inc. | 0.49% | 0.07% | 0.42% |
| RGAReinsurance Group Of America Inc | 0.45% | 0.06% | 0.39% |
| DINOHollyfrontier | 0.44% | 0.04% | 0.40% |
| PNFPPinnacle Financial Partners In Common Stock Usd1.0 | 0.42% | 0.06% | 0.36% |
| EQHEquitable Holdings Inc. | 0.39% | 0.05% | 0.34% |
| UNMUnum Group | 0.38% | 0.06% | 0.32% |
| RPMRpm International Inc | 0.37% | 0.06% | 0.31% |
29.8% of IJH 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, IJH or VYM?
IJH has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IJH or VYM?
Over the past year IJH returned +14.38% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IJH annualized +8.36% vs +6.91% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IJH or VYM?
IJH has been the more volatile fund at 18.3% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IJH -56.1% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both IJH and VYM?
IJH and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 IJH and VYM?
29.8% of IJH's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 4.3% of VYM's is in holdings IJH also owns. They hold 143 positions in common, counted across the 400 positions we hold weights for in IJH and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IJH or VYM?
IJH yields 1.18% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IJH?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IJH led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. IJH is less concentrated, with 7.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.