ITOT vs VYM
iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ITOT or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
ITOT has a lower expense ratio. ITOT led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92.
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 | ITOT | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.04% |
| AUM | $95.7B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 2,502 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +11.04% | +11.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.35% | +16.24%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.46%Best | +17.24% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.52% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.8% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -56.3%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,249 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 20, 2004 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 16, 2026 (19.8 years).
ITOT 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.
ITOT vs VYM Performance
iShares Core S&P Total US Stock Market ETF (ITOT) 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 ITOT returned +15.35% while VYM returned +16.24%. Year to date, ITOT is up 11.04% versus a gain of 11.71% for VYM.
Over three years, ITOT compounded at +20.46% per year against +17.24% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +11.52% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, ITOT has the edge at +9.17% annualized vs +6.84%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ITOT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% 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 -56.3% for ITOT 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ITOT charges 0.03% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $4 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ITOT currently yields 0.98% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 92.3% of VYM's money is in holdings ITOT also owns.
Stated as a floor: for ITOT, our book for it covers 94.2% 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 ITOT. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
385 positions in common, counted across the 1,631 positions we hold weights for in ITOT and 557 in VYM, against full books of 2,502 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ITOT | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.41% | 7.35% | 4.94% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.23% | 3.82% | 2.59% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.77% | 2.63% | 1.86% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.85% | 2.51% | 1.66% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.61% | 1.86% | 1.25% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.61% | 1.80% | 1.19% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 0.53% | 1.66% | 1.13% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.61% | 1.50% | 0.89% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.52% | 1.52% | 1.00% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.43% | 1.48% | 1.05% |
92.3% of VYM is already inside ITOT.
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, ITOT or VYM?
ITOT has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VYM charges 0.04%. ITOT is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ITOT or VYM?
Over the past year ITOT returned +15.35% vs +16.24% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), ITOT annualized +9.17% vs +6.84% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ITOT or VYM?
ITOT has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ITOT -56.3% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both ITOT and VYM?
ITOT and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, 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 ITOT and VYM?
At least 92.3% of VYM's money is in holdings ITOT also owns. Our book for ITOT is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 385 positions in common, counted across the 1,631 positions we hold weights for in ITOT and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ITOT or VYM?
ITOT yields 0.98% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ITOT?
ITOT has a lower expense ratio. ITOT led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.