IXG vs VYM
iShares Global Financials ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IXG or VYM?
Each has led over a different period.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IXG led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VYM over the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 30.4%.
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 | IXG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $693M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.11% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 247 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +11.85% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.69%Best | +17.57% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.95%Best | +18.12% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.22%Best | +12.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.0% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -80.0% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,441Best | $17,758 |
| Top 10 Weight | 30.4% | 25.9%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 11, 2026 (19.8 years).
IXG 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.
IXG vs VYM Performance
iShares Global Financials ETF (IXG) 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 IXG returned +17.69% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, IXG is up 11.85% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, IXG compounded at +25.95% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +14.22% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.95% annualized vs +2.92%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IXG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.0% 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 -80.0% for IXG 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IXG charges 0.38% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $4 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IXG currently yields 2.11% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
29.1% of IXG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 17.5% of VYM's money is in holdings IXG also owns.
IXG and VYM share little of their money.
48 positions in common, counted across the 222 positions we hold weights for in IXG and 603 in VYM, against full books of 247 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 521 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IXG (80.1% of the fund), and 32 for IXG that do not appear in VYM (22.7%).
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 IXG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 5.84% | 3.38% | 2.46% |
| BACBank Of America Corp. | 2.52% | 1.56% | 0.96% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc. | 2.01% | 1.15% | 0.86% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 1.73% | 1.05% | 0.68% |
| MSMorgan Stanley | 1.72% | 0.97% | 0.75% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 1.58% | 0.94% | 0.64% |
| BLKBlackrock Funding Inc/De | 0.94% | 0.61% | 0.33% |
| PGRProgressive Corp. | 0.87% | 0.53% | 0.34% |
| COFCapital One Financial Corp. | 0.83% | 0.52% | 0.31% |
| CBChubb Ltd. | 0.83% | 0.50% | 0.33% |
29.1% of IXG 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, IXG or VYM?
IXG has an expense ratio of 0.38% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IXG or VYM?
Over the past year IXG returned +17.69% vs +17.57% for VYM, so IXG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IXG annualized +2.92% vs +6.95% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IXG or VYM?
IXG has been the more volatile fund at 22.0% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IXG -80.0% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both IXG and VYM?
IXG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 IXG and VYM?
29.1% of IXG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 17.5% of VYM's is in holdings IXG also owns. They hold 48 positions in common, counted across the 222 positions we hold weights for in IXG and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IXG or VYM?
IXG yields 2.11% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IXG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IXG led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VYM over the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 30.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.