IWMW vs VYM
iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IWMW or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | IWMW | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $57M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 20.34% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 4 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -1.15% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.74% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.2% | 10.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -21.8% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.5 years | $11,185 | $14,731Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 14, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 15, 2024 to Sep 10, 2026 (2.5 years).
IWMW 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 2.5 years both funds cover.
IWMW vs VYM Performance
iShares Russell 2000 BuyWrite ETF (IWMW) 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 IWMW returned +0.74% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, IWMW is down 1.15% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IWMW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.2% compared with 10.3% 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 -21.8% for IWMW 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IWMW charges 0.39% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $4 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IWMW currently yields 20.34% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in IWMW and 603 in VYM, totalling 101.1% and 99.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in IWMW and 603 in VYM, against full books of 4 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IWMW 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, IWMW or VYM?
IWMW has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IWMW or VYM?
Over the past year IWMW returned +0.74% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IWMW or VYM?
IWMW has been the more volatile fund at 12.2% annualized versus 10.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IWMW -21.8% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both IWMW and VYM?
IWMW and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, IWMW or VYM?
IWMW yields 20.34% while VYM yields 2.22%, so IWMW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IWMW?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.