ILDR vs VYM
First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ILDR or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ILDR led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VYM over 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%.
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 | ILDR | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $318M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 164 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +14.39%Best | +13.08% |
| 1Y Return | +18.54%Best | +17.46% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.72%Best | +17.73% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.04% | +12.22%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.3% | 13.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.6% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,881 | $17,797Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.8% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 25, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 26, 2021 to Sep 14, 2026 (5.3 years).
ILDR 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 5.3 years both funds cover.
ILDR vs VYM Performance
First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) 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 ILDR returned +18.54% while VYM returned +17.46%. Year to date, ILDR is up 14.39% versus a gain of 13.08% for VYM.
Over three years, ILDR compounded at +28.72% per year against +17.73% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +11.04% and +12.22% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ILDR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.3% compared with 13.4% 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 -44.6% for ILDR and -15.8% 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 0.51. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ILDR charges 0.75% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $4 annually, a gap of $71 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ILDR currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
10.2% of ILDR's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.5% of VYM's money is in holdings ILDR also owns.
ILDR and VYM share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 81 positions we hold weights for in ILDR and 557 in VYM, against full books of 164 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 523 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for ILDR (87.6% of the fund), and 64 for ILDR that do not appear in VYM (76.1%).
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 ILDR 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, ILDR or VYM?
ILDR has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $71 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ILDR or VYM?
Over the past year ILDR returned +18.54% vs +17.46% for VYM, so ILDR leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ILDR or VYM?
ILDR has been the more volatile fund at 23.3% annualized versus 13.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ILDR -44.6% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both ILDR and VYM?
ILDR and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.51, 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 ILDR and VYM?
10.2% of ILDR's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.5% of VYM's is in holdings ILDR also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 81 positions we hold weights for in ILDR and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ILDR or VYM?
ILDR yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ILDR?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ILDR led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VYM over 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.