ISCV vs VYM
iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ISCV or VYM?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ISCV led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. ISCV is less concentrated, with 4.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | ISCV | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $689M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.82% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,057 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +13.17%Best | +11.35% |
| 1Y Return | +16.45%Best | +15.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.76% | +17.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.16% | +12.30%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.5% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -64.8% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,499 | $17,861Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 4.9%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2004 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 18, 2026 (19.8 years).
ISCV 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.
ISCV vs VYM Performance
iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Value ETF (ISCV) 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 ISCV returned +16.45% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, ISCV is up 13.17% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, ISCV compounded at +15.76% per year against +17.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +9.16% and +12.30% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.82% annualized vs +5.96%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ISCV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.5% 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 -64.8% for ISCV 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ISCV charges 0.06% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $4 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ISCV currently yields 1.82% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
40.7% of ISCV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 6.3% of VYM's money is in holdings ISCV also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
267 positions in common, counted across the 988 positions we hold weights for in ISCV and 557 in VYM, against full books of 1,057 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 275 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for ISCV (90.8% of the fund), and 689 for ISCV that do not appear in VYM (54.1%).
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 ISCV | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GENGen Digital Inc | 0.54% | 0.06% | 0.48% |
| BBYBest Buy Co. Inc. | 0.50% | 0.07% | 0.43% |
| RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated | 0.50% | 0.06% | 0.44% |
| DINOHF Sinclair Corp | 0.48% | 0.06% | 0.42% |
| SWKStanley Black Decker Inc. | 0.46% | 0.06% | 0.40% |
| APAApa Corp | 0.46% | 0.05% | 0.41% |
| AIZAssurant, Inc. | 0.45% | 0.06% | 0.39% |
| MKCMccormick & Co Inc. | 0.44% | 0.05% | 0.39% |
| SJMJ M Smucker Co/The | 0.44% | 0.05% | 0.39% |
| UNMUnum Group | 0.43% | 0.06% | 0.37% |
40.7% of ISCV is already inside VYM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ISCV or VYM?
ISCV has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ISCV or VYM?
Over the past year ISCV returned +16.45% vs +15.34% for VYM, so ISCV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), ISCV annualized +5.96% vs +6.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ISCV or VYM?
ISCV has been the more volatile fund at 21.5% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ISCV -64.8% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both ISCV and VYM?
ISCV and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, 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 ISCV and VYM?
40.7% of ISCV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 6.3% of VYM's is in holdings ISCV also owns. They hold 267 positions in common, counted across the 988 positions we hold weights for in ISCV and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ISCV or VYM?
ISCV yields 1.82% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ISCV?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ISCV led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. ISCV is less concentrated, with 4.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.