ISMD vs VYM
Inspire Small/Mid Cap ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ISMD or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ISMD led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ISMD is less concentrated, with 3.2% 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 | ISMD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.53% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $341M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.12% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 503 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +25.93%Best | +14.33% |
| 1Y Return | +26.37%Best | +20.01% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.28% | +18.43%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.50% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.0% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.5% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,742 | $17,750Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 3.2%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Inspire ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 27, 2017 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 28, 2017 to Sep 8, 2026 (9.5 years).
ISMD 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 9.5 years both funds cover.
ISMD vs VYM Performance
Inspire Small/Mid Cap ETF (ISMD) is an ETF from Inspire ETFs and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ISMD returned +26.37% while VYM returned +20.01%. Year to date, ISMD is up 25.93% versus a gain of 14.33% for VYM.
Over three years, ISMD compounded at +17.28% per year against +18.43% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +9.50% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.84% annualized vs +9.01%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ISMD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.0% compared with 14.5% 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 -45.5% for ISMD 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ISMD charges 0.53% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $53 vs $4 annually, a gap of $49 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ISMD currently yields 1.12% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
18.3% of ISMD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.4% of VYM's money is in holdings ISMD also owns.
ISMD and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, ISMD as of Aug 17, 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.
92 positions in common, counted across the 481 positions we hold weights for in ISMD and 602 in VYM, against full books of 503 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 480 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for ISMD (95.8% of the fund), and 384 for ISMD that do not appear in VYM (76.1%).
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 ISMD | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMSm Energy Co_None_0 | 0.27% | 0.03% | 0.24% |
| CAKECheesecake Factory Inc/the | 0.27% | 0.02% | 0.25% |
| AVNTAvient Corp | 0.24% | 0.01% | 0.23% |
| HNIHni Corp | 0.24% | 0.01% | 0.23% |
| NSPInsperity Inc | 0.24% | 0.01% | 0.23% |
| DANDana Inc | 0.23% | 0.01% | 0.22% |
| IOSPInnospec Inc.(iosp) | 0.23% | 0.01% | 0.22% |
| MTGMgic Investment Corp | 0.22% | 0.02% | 0.20% |
| UBSIUnited Bankshares Inc/Wv | 0.21% | 0.03% | 0.18% |
| JJSFJ&J Snack Foods Corp | 0.23% | 0.00% | 0.23% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ISMD 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, ISMD or VYM?
ISMD has an expense ratio of 0.53% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $49 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ISMD or VYM?
Over the past year ISMD returned +26.37% vs +20.01% for VYM, so ISMD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), ISMD annualized +9.01% vs +9.84% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ISMD or VYM?
ISMD has been the more volatile fund at 21.0% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ISMD -45.5% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both ISMD and VYM?
ISMD and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 ISMD and VYM?
18.3% of ISMD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.4% of VYM's is in holdings ISMD also owns. They hold 92 positions in common, counted across the 481 positions we hold weights for in ISMD and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ISMD or VYM?
ISMD yields 1.12% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ISMD?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ISMD led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ISMD is less concentrated, with 3.2% 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.