JOF vs VYM
Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund Inc vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, JOF or VYM?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. JOF led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VYM over 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 | JOF | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.47% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $365M | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 15.92% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 91 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +20.28%Best | +11.61% |
| 1Y Return | +30.47%Best | +15.90% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +29.11%Best | +18.72% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.86%Best | +11.76% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.6% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -61.1% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,311Best | $17,435 |
| Fund Family | Nomura Asset Management Co Ltd | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 21, 1990 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Oct 9, 2026 (19.9 years).
JOF 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 19.9 years both funds cover.
JOF vs VYM Performance
Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund Inc (JOF) is an ETF from Nomura Asset Management Co Ltd and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year JOF returned +30.47% while VYM returned +15.90%. Year to date, JOF is up 20.28% versus a gain of 11.61% for VYM.
Over three years, JOF compounded at +29.11% per year against +18.72% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +12.86% and +11.76% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.81% annualized vs +1.54%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
JOF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.6% 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 -61.1% for JOF 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 0.55. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
JOF charges 1.47% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $147 vs $4 annually, a gap of $143 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, JOF currently yields 15.92% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 91 holdings in JOF and 557 in VYM, totalling 94.6% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 61 days apart, JOF as of May 31, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 91 positions we hold weights for in JOF and 557 in VYM, against full books of 91 and 608.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of JOF 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, JOF or VYM?
JOF has an expense ratio of 1.47% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $143 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, JOF or VYM?
Over the past year JOF returned +30.47% vs +15.90% for VYM, so JOF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), JOF annualized +1.54% vs +6.81% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, JOF or VYM?
JOF has been the more volatile fund at 18.6% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: JOF -61.1% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both JOF and VYM?
JOF and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.55, 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, JOF or VYM?
JOF yields 15.92% while VYM yields 2.22%, so JOF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than JOF?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. JOF led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VYM over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.