IQSM vs VFMF
NYLIM Candriam US Mid Cap Equity ETF vs Vanguard US Multifactor ETF
Which is better, IQSM or VFMF?
VFMF has been ahead.
IQSM has a lower expense ratio. VFMF led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. IQSM is less concentrated, with 8.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 9.0%.
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 | IQSM | VFMF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $422M | $1.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.04% | 1.36% |
| Holdings | 496 | 1,949 |
| YTD Return | +15.28% | +23.88%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.45% | +28.66%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.17% | +23.77%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.3% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.7% | -20.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 4 years | $16,172 | $20,195Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 8.0%Best | 9.0% |
| Fund Family | New York Life Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 25, 2022 | Feb 13, 2018 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 25, 2022 to Nov 11, 2026 (4 years).
IQSM vs VFMF 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 4 years both funds cover.
IQSM vs VFMF Performance
NYLIM Candriam US Mid Cap Equity ETF (IQSM) is an ETF from New York Life Investments and Vanguard US Multifactor ETF (VFMF) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IQSM returned +18.45% while VFMF returned +28.66%. Year to date, IQSM is up 15.28% versus a gain of 23.88% for VFMF.
Over three years, IQSM compounded at +17.17% per year against +23.77% for VFMF. Across the full 4-year window we track, VFMF has the edge at +19.21% annualized vs +12.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IQSM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% compared with 14.9% for VFMF. 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 -23.7% for IQSM and -20.6% for VFMF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IQSM charges 0.15% per year while VFMF charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $18 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IQSM currently yields 1.04% against 1.36% for VFMF.
Holdings Overlap
30.1% of IQSM's money is in holdings VFMF also owns. 10.8% of VFMF's money is in holdings IQSM also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
69 positions in common, counted across the 245 positions we hold weights for in IQSM and 646 in VFMF, against full books of 496 and 1,949.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 555 positions for VFMF that do not appear in our book for IQSM (86.4% of the fund), and 169 for IQSM that do not appear in VFMF (67.1%).
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 IQSM | Weight in VFMF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MYLViatris Inc. | 0.86% | 0.29% | 0.57% |
| DINOHollyfrontier | 0.77% | 0.34% | 0.43% |
| USFDUS Foods Holding Corp | 0.91% | 0.13% | 0.78% |
| BBYBest Buy Co Inc | 0.72% | 0.28% | 0.44% |
| EXELExelixis Inc | 0.56% | 0.28% | 0.28% |
| RNRRenaissancere Holdings Ltd Rnr | 0.56% | 0.27% | 0.29% |
| SWKStanley Black Decker Inc. | 0.57% | 0.26% | 0.31% |
| JAZZJazz Pharmaceuticals Plc. | 0.53% | 0.28% | 0.25% |
| CHRWCh Robinson Worldwide Inc. | 0.71% | 0.07% | 0.64% |
| SOLVSolventum Corp | 0.53% | 0.23% | 0.30% |
30.1% of IQSM is already inside VFMF.
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, IQSM or VFMF?
IQSM has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VFMF charges 0.18%. IQSM is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IQSM or VFMF?
Over the past year IQSM returned +18.45% vs +28.66% for VFMF, so VFMF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), IQSM annualized +12.77% vs +19.21% for VFMF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IQSM or VFMF?
IQSM has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 14.9% for VFMF. Worst drawdown: IQSM -23.7% vs VFMF -20.6%.
Should I hold both IQSM and VFMF?
IQSM and VFMF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, 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 IQSM and VFMF?
30.1% of IQSM's money is in holdings VFMF also owns. 10.8% of VFMF's is in holdings IQSM also owns. They hold 69 positions in common, counted across the 245 positions we hold weights for in IQSM and 646 in VFMF.
Which pays a higher dividend, IQSM or VFMF?
IQSM yields 1.04% while VFMF yields 1.36%, so VFMF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VFMF better than IQSM?
IQSM has a lower expense ratio. VFMF led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. IQSM is less concentrated, with 8.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 9.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.