ISRA vs VYM
VanEck Israel ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ISRA or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ISRA led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.6%.
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 | ISRA | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $147M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.31% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 81 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +14.42%Best | +10.23% |
| 1Y Return | +32.02%Best | +14.28% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.03%Best | +17.50% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.08% | +11.60%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6% | 13.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.0% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,748 | $17,311Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 47.6% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 25, 2013 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2013 to Sep 23, 2026 (13.2 years).
ISRA 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 13.2 years both funds cover.
ISRA vs VYM Performance
VanEck Israel ETF (ISRA) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ISRA returned +32.02% while VYM returned +14.28%. Year to date, ISRA is up 14.42% versus a gain of 10.23% for VYM.
Over three years, ISRA compounded at +28.03% per year against +17.50% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.08% and +11.60% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.38% annualized vs +8.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ISRA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% compared with 13.5% 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 -45.0% for ISRA 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ISRA charges 0.59% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $4 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ISRA currently yields 1.31% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
1.2% of ISRA's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
ISRA and VYM share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 80 positions we hold weights for in ISRA and 557 in VYM, against full books of 81 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 527 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for ISRA (97.0% of the fund), and 20 for ISRA that do not appear in VYM (28.3%).
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 ISRA | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOXAmdocs Ltd. | 1.21% | 0.02% | 1.19% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ISRA 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, ISRA or VYM?
ISRA has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ISRA or VYM?
Over the past year ISRA returned +32.02% vs +14.28% for VYM, so ISRA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), ISRA annualized +8.99% vs +9.38% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ISRA or VYM?
ISRA has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 13.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ISRA -45.0% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both ISRA and VYM?
ISRA and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 ISRA and VYM?
1.2% of ISRA's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.0% of VYM's is in holdings ISRA also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 80 positions we hold weights for in ISRA and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ISRA or VYM?
ISRA yields 1.31% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ISRA?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ISRA led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.