ISCB vs VYM
iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ISCB or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | ISCB | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Tie | 0.04%Tie |
| AUM | $282M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.27% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,587 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +11.61%Best | +11.35% |
| 1Y Return | +14.35% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.25% | +17.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.07% | +12.30%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.3% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -61.9% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,071 | $17,861Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2004 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 18, 2026 (19.8 years).
ISCB 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.
ISCB vs VYM Performance
iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF (ISCB) 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 ISCB returned +14.35% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, ISCB is up 11.61% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, ISCB compounded at +16.25% per year against +17.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +7.07% and +12.30% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.82% annualized vs +6.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ISCB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% compared with 14.6% 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 -61.9% for ISCB 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ISCB charges 0.04% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $4 annually. On income, ISCB currently yields 1.27% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 6.5% of VYM's money is in holdings ISCB also owns.
Stated as a floor: for ISCB, our book for it covers 93.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VYM and ISCB share little of their money.
264 positions in common, counted across the 1,340 positions we hold weights for in ISCB and 557 in VYM, against full books of 1,587 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ISCB | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GENGen Digital Inc | 0.27% | 0.06% | 0.21% |
| IEXI D E X Corporation | 0.25% | 0.07% | 0.18% |
| BBYBest Buy Co. Inc. | 0.25% | 0.07% | 0.18% |
| RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated | 0.25% | 0.06% | 0.19% |
| MASMasco Corp. | 0.23% | 0.06% | 0.17% |
| SWKStanley Black Decker Inc. | 0.23% | 0.06% | 0.17% |
| PNFPPinnacle Financial Partners In Common Stock Usd1.0 | 0.23% | 0.06% | 0.17% |
| DINOHF Sinclair Corp | 0.23% | 0.06% | 0.17% |
| APAApa Corp | 0.23% | 0.05% | 0.18% |
| AIZAssurant, Inc. | 0.22% | 0.06% | 0.16% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ISCB 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, ISCB or VYM?
ISCB has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VYM charges 0.04%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, ISCB or VYM?
Over the past year ISCB returned +14.35% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), ISCB annualized +6.69% vs +6.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ISCB or VYM?
ISCB has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ISCB -61.9% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both ISCB and VYM?
ISCB and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 ISCB and VYM?
At least 6.5% of VYM's money is in holdings ISCB also owns. Our book for ISCB is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 264 positions in common, counted across the 1,340 positions we hold weights for in ISCB and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ISCB or VYM?
ISCB yields 1.27% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ISCB?
VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.