IWL vs VYM
iShares Russell Top 200 ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IWL or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IWL led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.3%.
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 | IWL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.2B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.83% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 205 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +10.34% | +11.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.03% | +16.24%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.58%Best | +17.24% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.12%Best | +11.86% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.2% | 13.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -32.7%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,522Best | $17,514 |
| Top 10 Weight | 43.3% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 22, 2009 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 28, 2009 to Sep 16, 2026 (17 years).
IWL 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 17 years both funds cover.
IWL vs VYM Performance
iShares Russell Top 200 ETF (IWL) 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 IWL returned +15.03% while VYM returned +16.24%. Year to date, IWL is up 10.34% versus a gain of 11.71% for VYM.
Over three years, IWL compounded at +21.58% per year against +17.24% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +13.12% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, IWL has the edge at +13.05% annualized vs +10.04%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IWL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.2% compared with 13.1% 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 -32.7% for IWL 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IWL charges 0.15% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $4 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IWL currently yields 0.83% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
31.6% of IWL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 72.2% of VYM's money is in holdings IWL also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside IWL. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
98 positions in common, counted across the 202 positions we hold weights for in IWL and 557 in VYM, against full books of 205 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 431 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IWL (25.1% of the fund), and 103 for IWL that do not appear in VYM (68.3%).
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 IWL | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.02% | 7.35% | 4.33% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.67% | 3.82% | 2.15% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.17% | 2.63% | 1.46% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.12% | 2.51% | 1.39% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.76% | 1.86% | 1.10% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.79% | 1.80% | 1.01% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 0.72% | 1.66% | 0.94% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.67% | 1.48% | 0.81% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.62% | 1.52% | 0.90% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.63% | 1.50% | 0.87% |
72.2% of VYM is already inside IWL.
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, IWL or VYM?
IWL has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IWL or VYM?
Over the past year IWL returned +15.03% vs +16.24% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), IWL annualized +13.05% vs +10.04% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IWL or VYM?
IWL has been the more volatile fund at 14.2% annualized versus 13.1% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IWL -32.7% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both IWL and VYM?
IWL and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 IWL and VYM?
72.2% of VYM's money is in holdings IWL also owns. 72.2% of VYM's is in holdings IWL also owns. They hold 98 positions in common, counted across the 202 positions we hold weights for in IWL and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IWL or VYM?
IWL yields 0.83% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IWL?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IWL led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.