ISPY vs VYM
ProShares S&P 500 High Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ISPY or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | ISPY | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.1B | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.61% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 1,535 | 610 |
| YTD Return | +2.80% | +15.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.47% | +19.62%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.95% | +19.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.48% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.9% | 10.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.4% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.9 years | $11,825 | $16,173Best |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 18, 2023 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 20, 2023 to Nov 13, 2026 (2.9 years).
ISPY 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 2.9 years both funds cover.
ISPY vs VYM Performance
ProShares S&P 500 High Income ETF (ISPY) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ISPY returned +4.47% while VYM returned +19.62%. Year to date, ISPY is up 2.80% versus a gain of 15.95% for VYM.
Over three years, ISPY compounded at +5.95% per year against +19.64% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ISPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.9% compared with 10.7% 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 -18.4% for ISPY and -14.5% 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 0.52. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ISPY charges 0.55% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $4 annually, a gap of $51 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ISPY currently yields 5.61% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 76.9% of VYM's money is in holdings ISPY also owns.
Stated as a floor: for ISPY, our book for it covers 93.1% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of VYM is already inside ISPY. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 67 days apart, ISPY as of Nov 6, 2026 and VYM as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
204 positions in common, counted across the 459 positions we hold weights for in ISPY and 602 in VYM, against full books of 1,535 and 610.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ISPY | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.85% | 6.94% | 5.09% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 1.18% | 3.83% | 2.65% |
| XOMExxonmobil Holdings Corp | 0.91% | 2.70% | 1.79% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.88% | 2.58% | 1.70% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.68% | 1.83% | 1.15% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.49% | 1.76% | 1.27% |
| CVXChevron Corp. | 0.56% | 1.54% | 0.98% |
| BACBank Of America Corp | 0.43% | 1.65% | 1.22% |
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 0.48% | 1.47% | 0.99% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Inc. | 0.47% | 1.42% | 0.95% |
76.9% of VYM is already inside ISPY.
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, ISPY or VYM?
ISPY has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $51 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ISPY or VYM?
Over the past year ISPY returned +4.47% vs +19.62% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ISPY or VYM?
ISPY has been the more volatile fund at 14.9% annualized versus 10.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ISPY -18.4% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both ISPY and VYM?
ISPY and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.52, 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 ISPY and VYM?
At least 76.9% of VYM's money is in holdings ISPY also owns. Our book for ISPY is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 204 positions in common, counted across the 459 positions we hold weights for in ISPY and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ISPY or VYM?
ISPY yields 5.61% while VYM yields 2.23%, so ISPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ISPY?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.