IWLG vs VYM
NYLIM Winslow Large Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IWLG or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IWLG 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 53.1%.
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 | IWLG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $314M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 44 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +3.67% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.43% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.56%Best | +18.12% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.9% | 13.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.2% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.2 years | $22,215Best | $18,118 |
| Top 10 Weight | 53.1% | 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 11, 2026 (4.2 years).
IWLG 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.
IWLG vs VYM Performance
NYLIM Winslow Large Cap Growth ETF (IWLG) 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 IWLG returned +5.43% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, IWLG is up 3.67% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, IWLG compounded at +20.56% per year against +18.12% for VYM. Across the full 4-year window we track, IWLG has the edge at +20.93% annualized vs +15.20%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IWLG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.9% 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 -23.2% for IWLG 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 0.60. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IWLG charges 0.50% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $4 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IWLG currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
12.0% of IWLG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 12.6% of VYM's money is in holdings IWLG also owns.
VYM and IWLG share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, IWLG 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.
7 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in IWLG and 603 in VYM, against full books of 44 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 561 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IWLG (84.8% of the fund), and 32 for IWLG that do not appear in VYM (81.8%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IWLG 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, IWLG or VYM?
IWLG has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IWLG or VYM?
Over the past year IWLG returned +5.43% vs +17.57% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), IWLG annualized +20.93% vs +15.20% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IWLG or VYM?
IWLG has been the more volatile fund at 18.9% annualized versus 13.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IWLG -23.2% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both IWLG and VYM?
IWLG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.60, 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 IWLG and VYM?
12.6% of VYM's money is in holdings IWLG also owns. 12.6% of VYM's is in holdings IWLG also owns. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in IWLG and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IWLG or VYM?
IWLG yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IWLG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IWLG 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 53.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.