IMST vs VYM
Bitwise MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IMST or VYM?
Option Writing against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | IMST | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.96% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $6M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 209.72% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 2 | 613 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 48.9% | 8.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -75.6% | -7.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $3,938 | $13,388Best |
| Fund Family | Bitwise | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 1, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 49 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. IMST has data through Jul 31, 2026 and VYM through Sep 18, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 3, 2025 to Jul 31, 2026 (1.3 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IMST has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 48.9% compared with 8.9% 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 -75.6% for IMST and -7.5% 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 0.32. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IMST charges 0.96% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $96 vs $4 annually, a gap of $92 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IMST currently yields 209.72% against 2.22% for VYM.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IMST 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, IMST or VYM?
IMST has an expense ratio of 0.96% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $92 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, IMST or VYM?
IMST has been the more volatile fund at 48.9% annualized versus 8.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IMST -75.6% vs VYM -7.5%.
Should I hold both IMST and VYM?
IMST and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.32, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, IMST or VYM?
IMST yields 209.72% while VYM yields 2.22%, so IMST currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IMST?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.