IWP vs VYM
iShares Russell Midcap Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IWP or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IWP led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. IWP is less concentrated, with 20.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | IWP | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.23% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $19.4B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.35% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 271 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +0.00% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | -4.85% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.78% | +18.12%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.95% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.5% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -57.3%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,137 | $17,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 20.3%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 17, 2001 | 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).
IWP 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.
IWP vs VYM Performance
iShares Russell Midcap Growth ETF (IWP) 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 IWP returned -4.85% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, IWP is up 0.00% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, IWP compounded at +13.78% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +3.95% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, IWP has the edge at +8.95% annualized vs +6.95%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IWP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.5% 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 -57.3% for IWP 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IWP charges 0.23% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $23 vs $4 annually, a gap of $19 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IWP currently yields 0.35% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
15.2% of IWP's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 4.8% of VYM's money is in holdings IWP also owns.
IWP and VYM share little of their money.
46 positions in common, counted across the 265 positions we hold weights for in IWP and 603 in VYM, against full books of 271 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 521 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IWP (92.7% of the fund), and 204 for IWP that do not appear in VYM (80.8%).
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
| Stock | Weight in IWP | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRGPTarga Resources Corp. | 1.56% | 0.24% | 1.32% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp. | 1.26% | 0.31% | 0.95% |
| FASTFastenal Co. | 1.33% | 0.23% | 1.10% |
| ROKRockwell Automation Inc. | 1.18% | 0.23% | 0.95% |
| MCHPMicrochip Technology Inc. | 1.17% | 0.20% | 0.97% |
| TPRTapestry Inc. | 0.91% | 0.12% | 0.79% |
| CAHCardinal Health Inc. | 0.72% | 0.23% | 0.49% |
| ARESAres Management Corp Common Stock | 0.78% | 0.09% | 0.69% |
| NRGNrg Energy Inc. | 0.69% | 0.12% | 0.57% |
| DRIDarden Restaurants Inc. | 0.67% | 0.10% | 0.57% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IWP 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, IWP or VYM?
IWP has an expense ratio of 0.23% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $19 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IWP or VYM?
Over the past year IWP returned -4.85% vs +17.57% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IWP annualized +8.95% vs +6.95% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IWP or VYM?
IWP has been the more volatile fund at 18.5% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IWP -57.3% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both IWP and VYM?
IWP and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 IWP and VYM?
15.2% of IWP's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 4.8% of VYM's is in holdings IWP also owns. They hold 46 positions in common, counted across the 265 positions we hold weights for in IWP and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IWP or VYM?
IWP yields 0.35% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IWP?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IWP led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. IWP is less concentrated, with 20.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.