IYM vs VTI
iShares US Basic Materials ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, IYM or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. IYM led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y 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 | IYM | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.1B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.21% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 43 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +21.96%Best | +12.34% |
| 1Y Return | +31.12%Best | +18.37% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.92% | +20.62%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.56% | +11.68%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.0% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -68.1% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,786 | $17,373Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 12, 2000 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 31, 2001 to Sep 9, 2026 (25.3 years).
IYM vs VTI 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 25.3 years both funds cover.
IYM vs VTI Performance
iShares US Basic Materials ETF (IYM) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IYM returned +31.12% while VTI returned +18.37%. Year to date, IYM is up 21.96% versus a gain of 12.34% for VTI.
Over three years, IYM compounded at +14.92% per year against +20.62% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +9.56% and +11.68% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.04% annualized vs +6.62%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.0% compared with 15.3% for VTI. 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 -68.1% for IYM and -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IYM charges 0.38% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $3 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IYM currently yields 1.21% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 89.8% of IYM's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 92.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of IYM is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
32 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in IYM and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 43 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IYM | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 19.78% | 0.33% | 19.45% |
| NEMNewmont Corp Common | 9.78% | 0.14% | 9.64% |
| FCXFreeport-mcmoran Copper & Gold Inc. | 8.74% | 0.12% | 8.62% |
| ECLEcolab, Inc. | 6.27% | 0.10% | 6.17% |
| APDAir Products & Chemicals Inc. | 4.74% | 0.09% | 4.65% |
| NUENucor Corp. | 4.58% | 0.07% | 4.51% |
| FASTFastenal Co. | 4.44% | 0.08% | 4.36% |
| STLDSteel Dynamics, Inc. | 3.13% | 0.04% | 3.09% |
| CRSCarpenter Technology Corp | 2.70% | 0.04% | 2.66% |
| IFFInternational Flavors & Fragrances Inc. | 2.22% | 0.03% | 2.19% |
89.8% of IYM is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IYM or VTI?
IYM has an expense ratio of 0.38% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IYM or VTI?
Over the past year IYM returned +31.12% vs +18.37% for VTI, so IYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), IYM annualized +6.62% vs +8.04% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IYM or VTI?
IYM has been the more volatile fund at 22.0% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: IYM -68.1% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both IYM and VTI?
IYM and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 IYM and VTI?
At least 89.8% of IYM's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 32 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in IYM and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, IYM or VTI?
IYM yields 1.21% while VTI yields 1.03%, so IYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than IYM?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. IYM led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.