IQSI vs VYM
NYLIM Candriam International Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IQSI or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IQSI is less concentrated, with 19.2% 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 | IQSI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $273M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.62% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 603 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +10.63% | +13.75%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.39% | +19.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.21% | +18.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.76% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.8% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -31.9%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,531 | $17,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 19.2%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | New York Life Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 17, 2019 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 17, 2019 to Sep 9, 2026 (6.7 years).
IQSI 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 6.7 years both funds cover.
IQSI vs VYM Performance
NYLIM Candriam International Equity ETF (IQSI) is an ETF from New York Life Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IQSI returned +16.39% while VYM returned +19.42%. Year to date, IQSI is up 10.63% versus a gain of 13.75% for VYM.
Over three years, IQSI compounded at +16.21% per year against +18.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +7.76% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +11.15% annualized vs +9.11%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IQSI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.8% compared with 15.6% 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 -31.9% for IQSI and -35.7% 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IQSI charges 0.15% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $4 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IQSI currently yields 2.62% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
0.1% of IQSI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.1% of VYM's money is in holdings IQSI also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, IQSI as of Aug 18, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
2 positions in common, counted across the 561 positions we hold weights for in IQSI and 603 in VYM, against full books of 603 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 566 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IQSI (97.1% of the fund), and 11 for IQSI that do not appear in VYM (1.9%).
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 IQSI 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, IQSI or VYM?
IQSI has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IQSI or VYM?
Over the past year IQSI returned +16.39% vs +19.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), IQSI annualized +9.11% vs +11.15% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IQSI or VYM?
IQSI has been the more volatile fund at 16.8% annualized versus 15.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IQSI -31.9% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both IQSI and VYM?
IQSI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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, IQSI or VYM?
IQSI yields 2.62% while VYM yields 2.22%, so IQSI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IQSI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IQSI is less concentrated, with 19.2% 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.