IWD vs VYM
iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IWD or VYM?
Nearly the same fund. VYM costs less.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IWD led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 28.8%.
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 | IWD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $83.6B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.36% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 874 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +21.28%Best | +13.91% |
| 1Y Return | +27.42%Best | +17.57% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.58%Best | +18.12% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.81% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.8% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -61.9% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,474 | $17,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 28.8% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 22, 2000 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 11, 2026 (19.8 years).
IWD 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.
IWD vs VYM Performance
iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (IWD) 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 IWD returned +27.42% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, IWD is up 21.28% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, IWD compounded at +19.58% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +11.81% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.95% annualized vs +6.54%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IWD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% 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 -61.9% for IWD 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 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IWD charges 0.18% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $4 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IWD currently yields 1.36% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
50.0% of IWD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 79.6% of VYM's money is in holdings IWD also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside IWD. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
374 positions in common, counted across the 868 positions we hold weights for in IWD and 603 in VYM, against full books of 874 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 198 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IWD (18.1% of the fund), and 429 for IWD that do not appear in VYM (48.5%).
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 IWD | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 2.55% | 3.38% | 0.83% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson | 1.65% | 2.54% | 0.89% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.68% | 2.36% | 0.68% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.27% | 1.93% | 0.66% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.07% | 1.85% | 0.78% |
| BACBank Of America Corp. | 1.04% | 1.56% | 0.52% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Inc. | 0.99% | 1.56% | 0.57% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.91% | 1.42% | 0.51% |
| CVXChevron Corp. | 0.92% | 1.28% | 0.36% |
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 0.84% | 1.32% | 0.48% |
79.6% of VYM is already inside IWD.
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, IWD or VYM?
IWD has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IWD or VYM?
Over the past year IWD returned +27.42% vs +17.57% for VYM, so IWD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IWD annualized +6.54% vs +6.95% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IWD or VYM?
IWD has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IWD -61.9% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both IWD and VYM?
IWD and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, 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 IWD and VYM?
79.6% of VYM's money is in holdings IWD also owns. 79.6% of VYM's is in holdings IWD also owns. They hold 374 positions in common, counted across the 868 positions we hold weights for in IWD and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IWD or VYM?
IWD yields 1.36% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IWD?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IWD led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 28.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.