JPC vs VYM
Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, JPC or VYM?
Preferred Stock against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 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 | JPC | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.14% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | - | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.90% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 260 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -3.50% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.83% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.19% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.75% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.1% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -80.8% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,453 | $17,845Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Preferred Stock | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 26, 2003 | 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 Sep 4, 2026 (19.8 years).
JPC 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.
JPC vs VYM Performance
Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund (JPC) is an ETF from Nuveen and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year JPC returned -0.83% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, JPC is down 3.50% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, JPC compounded at +14.19% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +2.75% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +7.00% annualized vs -0.81%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
JPC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.1% 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 -80.8% for JPC 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
JPC charges 2.14% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $214 vs $4 annually, a gap of $210 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, JPC currently yields 9.90% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.0% of VYM's money is in holdings JPC also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for JPC, our book for it lists positions totalling 132.1% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
VYM and JPC share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 150 days apart, JPC as of Jan 31, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
5 positions in common, counted across the 214 positions we hold weights for in JPC and 603 in VYM, against full books of 260 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of JPC 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, JPC or VYM?
JPC has an expense ratio of 2.14% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $210 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, JPC or VYM?
Over the past year JPC returned -0.83% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), JPC annualized -0.81% vs +7.00% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, JPC or VYM?
JPC has been the more volatile fund at 19.1% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: JPC -80.8% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both JPC and VYM?
JPC and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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 JPC and VYM?
At least 2.0% of VYM's money is in holdings JPC also owns. Our book for JPC is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 214 positions we hold weights for in JPC and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, JPC or VYM?
JPC yields 9.90% while VYM yields 2.24%, so JPC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than JPC?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.