INFL vs VYM
Horizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, INFL or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. INFL led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 48.4%.
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 | INFL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.75% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 53 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +18.78%Best | +11.71% |
| 1Y Return | +22.46%Best | +16.24% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.59%Best | +17.24% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.73%Best | +11.86% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.2% | 13.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -21.3% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,027Best | $17,514 |
| Top 10 Weight | 48.4% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Horizon Kinetics LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 11, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 12, 2021 to Sep 16, 2026 (5.7 years).
INFL 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 5.7 years both funds cover.
INFL vs VYM Performance
Horizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF (INFL) is an ETF from Horizon Kinetics LLC and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year INFL returned +22.46% while VYM returned +16.24%. Year to date, INFL is up 18.78% versus a gain of 11.71% for VYM.
Over three years, INFL compounded at +20.59% per year against +17.24% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +13.73% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, INFL has the edge at +15.54% annualized vs +12.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
INFL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.2% 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 -21.3% for INFL 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
INFL charges 0.85% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $4 annually, a gap of $81 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, INFL currently yields 0.75% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
11.3% of INFL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.9% of VYM's money is in holdings INFL also owns.
INFL and VYM share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 47 positions we hold weights for in INFL and 557 in VYM, against full books of 53 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 523 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for INFL (96.1% of the fund), and 19 for INFL that do not appear in VYM (40.7%).
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 INFL 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, INFL or VYM?
INFL has an expense ratio of 0.85% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $81 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, INFL or VYM?
Over the past year INFL returned +22.46% vs +16.24% for VYM, so INFL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), INFL annualized +15.54% vs +12.72% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, INFL or VYM?
INFL has been the more volatile fund at 17.2% annualized versus 13.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: INFL -21.3% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both INFL and VYM?
INFL and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 INFL and VYM?
11.3% of INFL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.9% of VYM's is in holdings INFL also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 47 positions we hold weights for in INFL and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, INFL or VYM?
INFL yields 0.75% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than INFL?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. INFL led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 48.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.