IXC vs VYM
iShares Global Energy ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IXC or VYM?
Each has led over a different period.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IXC led over 1Y and 5Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.9%.
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 | IXC | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.9B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.87% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 65 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +36.39%Best | +11.47% |
| 1Y Return | +44.35%Best | +15.94% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.29% | +18.03%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +23.31%Best | +12.35% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.8% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -76.1% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $28,510Best | $17,901 |
| Top 10 Weight | 57.9% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 12, 2001 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 21, 2026 (19.8 years).
IXC 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.
IXC vs VYM Performance
iShares Global Energy ETF (IXC) 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 IXC returned +44.35% while VYM returned +15.94%. Year to date, IXC is up 36.39% versus a gain of 11.47% for VYM.
Over three years, IXC compounded at +16.29% per year against +18.03% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +23.31% and +12.35% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.82% annualized vs +3.48%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IXC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.8% compared with 14.6% 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 -76.1% for IXC 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IXC charges 0.37% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $37 vs $4 annually, a gap of $33 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IXC currently yields 2.87% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
60.2% of IXC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 8.7% of VYM's money is in holdings IXC also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
20 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in IXC and 557 in VYM, against full books of 65 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 508 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IXC (88.4% of the fund), and 6 for IXC that do not appear in VYM (9.1%).
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 IXC | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 17.61% | 2.63% | 14.98% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 10.19% | 1.48% | 8.71% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 4.26% | 0.60% | 3.66% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 2.88% | 0.38% | 2.50% |
| VLOValero Energy | 2.81% | 0.38% | 2.43% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 2.61% | 0.34% | 2.27% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 2.42% | 0.35% | 2.07% |
| SLBSchlumberger Nv. | 2.37% | 0.30% | 2.07% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 2.04% | 0.32% | 1.72% |
| KMIKinder Morgan Inc./de | 1.67% | 0.25% | 1.42% |
60.2% of IXC is already inside VYM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IXC or VYM?
IXC has an expense ratio of 0.37% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $33 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IXC or VYM?
Over the past year IXC returned +44.35% vs +15.94% for VYM, so IXC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IXC annualized +3.48% vs +6.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IXC or VYM?
IXC has been the more volatile fund at 23.8% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IXC -76.1% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both IXC and VYM?
IXC and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 IXC and VYM?
60.2% of IXC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 8.7% of VYM's is in holdings IXC also owns. They hold 20 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in IXC and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IXC or VYM?
IXC yields 2.87% while VYM yields 2.22%, so IXC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IXC?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IXC led over 1Y and 5Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.