ISWN vs VYM
Amplify BlackSwan ISWN ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ISWN or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. 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 | ISWN | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $37M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.84% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 28 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +2.97% | +12.29%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.45% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.12% | +17.42%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.89% | +12.12%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.5%Best | 13.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -32.4% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,563 | $17,718Best |
| Fund Family | Amplify ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 26, 2021 to Sep 17, 2026 (5.6 years).
ISWN 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 5.6 years both funds cover.
ISWN vs VYM Performance
Amplify BlackSwan ISWN ETF (ISWN) is an ETF from Amplify ETFs and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ISWN returned +5.45% while VYM returned +16.61%. Year to date, ISWN is up 2.97% versus a gain of 12.29% for VYM.
Over three years, ISWN compounded at +9.12% per year against +17.42% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -0.89% and +12.12% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +13.10% annualized vs -0.19%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.4% compared with 12.5% for ISWN. 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 -32.4% for ISWN and -15.8% 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 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ISWN charges 0.49% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $4 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ISWN currently yields 2.84% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 9 holdings in ISWN and 557 in VYM, totalling 67.3% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 9 positions we hold weights for in ISWN and 557 in VYM, against full books of 28 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ISWN 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, ISWN or VYM?
ISWN has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ISWN or VYM?
Over the past year ISWN returned +5.45% vs +16.61% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), ISWN annualized -0.19% vs +13.10% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ISWN or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.4% annualized versus 12.5% for ISWN. Worst drawdown: ISWN -32.4% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both ISWN and VYM?
ISWN and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.64, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, ISWN or VYM?
ISWN yields 2.84% while VYM yields 2.22%, so ISWN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ISWN?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. 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.