IMCB vs VYM
iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IMCB or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
IMCB led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. IMCB is less concentrated, with 7.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.8%.
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 | IMCB | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Tie | 0.04%Tie |
| AUM | $1.8B | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.21% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 398 | 610 |
| YTD Return | +18.66%Best | +15.95% |
| 1Y Return | +21.75%Best | +19.62% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.82% | +19.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.89% | +11.48%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.7% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.6% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,619 | $17,218Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 7.4%Best | 25.8% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2004 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Nov 13, 2026 (20 years).
IMCB 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 20 years both funds cover.
IMCB vs VYM Performance
iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF (IMCB) 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 IMCB returned +21.75% while VYM returned +19.62%. Year to date, IMCB is up 18.66% versus a gain of 15.95% for VYM.
Over three years, IMCB compounded at +18.82% per year against +19.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +7.89% and +11.48% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, IMCB has the edge at +8.60% annualized vs +6.98%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IMCB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.7% 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 -59.6% for IMCB 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IMCB charges 0.04% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $4 annually. On income, IMCB currently yields 1.21% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
49.9% of IMCB's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 28.8% of VYM's money is in holdings IMCB also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 64 days apart, IMCB as of Nov 3, 2026 and VYM as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
174 positions in common, counted across the 395 positions we hold weights for in IMCB and 602 in VYM, against full books of 398 and 610.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 403 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IMCB (69.8% of the fund), and 210 for IMCB that do not appear in VYM (48.3%).
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 IMCB | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DELLDell Technologies Inc. | 0.83% | 0.55% | 0.28% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp. | 0.86% | 0.44% | 0.42% |
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. | 0.80% | 0.46% | 0.34% |
| VLOValero Energy Corp. | 0.79% | 0.43% | 0.36% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 0.78% | 0.40% | 0.38% |
| BKBank Of New York Mellon Corp/The | 0.69% | 0.45% | 0.24% |
| MMCMarsh & Mclennan Cos Inc | 0.66% | 0.37% | 0.29% |
| USBUs Bank Na Cincinnati | 0.64% | 0.39% | 0.25% |
| PNCPnc Financial Services Group Inc. | 0.63% | 0.39% | 0.24% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 0.62% | 0.37% | 0.25% |
49.9% of IMCB 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, IMCB or VYM?
IMCB has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VYM charges 0.04%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, IMCB or VYM?
Over the past year IMCB returned +21.75% vs +19.62% for VYM, so IMCB leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IMCB annualized +8.60% vs +6.98% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IMCB or VYM?
IMCB has been the more volatile fund at 17.7% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IMCB -59.6% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both IMCB and VYM?
IMCB and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IMCB and VYM?
49.9% of IMCB's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 28.8% of VYM's is in holdings IMCB also owns. They hold 174 positions in common, counted across the 395 positions we hold weights for in IMCB and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IMCB or VYM?
IMCB yields 1.21% while VYM yields 2.23%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IMCB?
IMCB led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. IMCB is less concentrated, with 7.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.