IWFG vs VYM
NYLI Winslow Focused Large Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IWFG or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IWFG led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.4%.
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 | IWFG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.46% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $62M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 30 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +2.97% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.19% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.30%Best | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.2% | 13.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -22.0% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.2 years | $23,092Best | $18,317 |
| Top 10 Weight | 62.4% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | New York Life Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 22, 2022 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 23, 2022 to Sep 4, 2026 (4.2 years).
IWFG 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 4.2 years both funds cover.
IWFG vs VYM Performance
NYLI Winslow Focused Large Cap Growth ETF (IWFG) is an ETF from New York Life Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IWFG returned +4.19% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, IWFG is up 2.97% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, IWFG compounded at +21.30% per year against +18.64% for VYM. Across the full 4-year window we track, IWFG has the edge at +22.05% annualized vs +15.50%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IWFG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.2% compared with 13.3% 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 -22.0% for IWFG 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IWFG charges 0.46% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $46 vs $4 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IWFG currently yields 0.00% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
9.3% of IWFG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 8.5% of VYM's money is in holdings IWFG also owns.
IWFG and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, IWFG as of Aug 18, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
3 positions in common, counted across the 27 positions we hold weights for in IWFG and 603 in VYM, against full books of 30 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 567 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IWFG (89.0% of the fund), and 23 for IWFG that do not appear in VYM (87.8%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IWFG 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, IWFG or VYM?
IWFG has an expense ratio of 0.46% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IWFG or VYM?
Over the past year IWFG returned +4.19% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), IWFG annualized +22.05% vs +15.50% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IWFG or VYM?
IWFG has been the more volatile fund at 18.2% annualized versus 13.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IWFG -22.0% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both IWFG and VYM?
IWFG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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 IWFG and VYM?
9.3% of IWFG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 8.5% of VYM's is in holdings IWFG also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 27 positions we hold weights for in IWFG and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IWFG or VYM?
IWFG yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IWFG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IWFG led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.