IMCG vs VYM
iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IMCG or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IMCG led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. IMCG is less concentrated, with 12.3% 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 | IMCG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $4.0B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.61% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 265 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +18.31%Best | +13.91% |
| 1Y Return | +15.24% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.86% | +18.12%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.72% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.3% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.0% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,843 | $17,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 12.3%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | 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 Sep 11, 2026 (19.8 years).
IMCG 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.
IMCG vs VYM Performance
iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF (IMCG) 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 IMCG returned +15.24% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, IMCG is up 18.31% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, IMCG compounded at +17.86% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +6.72% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, IMCG has the edge at +10.34% annualized vs +6.95%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IMCG 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 -59.0% for IMCG 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IMCG charges 0.06% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $4 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IMCG currently yields 0.61% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
25.6% of IMCG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 13.2% of VYM's money is in holdings IMCG also owns.
IMCG and VYM share little of their money.
73 positions in common, counted across the 260 positions we hold weights for in IMCG and 603 in VYM, against full books of 265 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 494 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IMCG (84.3% of the fund), and 178 for IMCG that do not appear in VYM (72.0%).
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 IMCG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DELLDell Technologies Inc. | 1.23% | 0.54% | 0.69% |
| JCIJohnson Controls International Plc | 1.24% | 0.37% | 0.87% |
| CMICummins Inc. | 1.18% | 0.41% | 0.77% |
| BKBank Of New York Mellon Corp. | 0.86% | 0.41% | 0.45% |
| EMREmerson Electric Co. | 0.74% | 0.33% | 0.41% |
| BKRBaker Hughes A Ge Co. Class A | 0.81% | 0.23% | 0.58% |
| FASTFastenal Co. | 0.73% | 0.23% | 0.50% |
| ITWIllinois Tool Works Inc. | 0.60% | 0.32% | 0.28% |
| ROKRockwell Automation Inc. | 0.66% | 0.23% | 0.43% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp. | 0.56% | 0.31% | 0.25% |
25.6% of IMCG 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, IMCG or VYM?
IMCG has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IMCG or VYM?
Over the past year IMCG returned +15.24% vs +17.57% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IMCG annualized +10.34% vs +6.95% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IMCG or VYM?
IMCG has been the more volatile fund at 18.3% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IMCG -59.0% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both IMCG and VYM?
IMCG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 IMCG and VYM?
25.6% of IMCG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 13.2% of VYM's is in holdings IMCG also owns. They hold 73 positions in common, counted across the 260 positions we hold weights for in IMCG and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IMCG or VYM?
IMCG yields 0.61% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IMCG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IMCG led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. IMCG is less concentrated, with 12.3% 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.