JRS vs VYM
Nuveen Real Estate Income Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, JRS or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
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 | JRS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | - | 0.04% |
| AUM | - | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.40% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 87 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +10.69% | +13.75%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.60% | +19.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.69% | +18.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.19% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 30.6% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -90.7% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,609 | $17,758Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 15, 2001 | 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 9, 2026 (19.8 years).
JRS 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.
JRS vs VYM Performance
Nuveen Real Estate Income Fund (JRS) is an ETF from Nuveen and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year JRS returned +7.60% while VYM returned +19.42%. Year to date, JRS is up 10.69% versus a gain of 13.75% for VYM.
Over three years, JRS compounded at +13.69% per year against +18.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +1.19% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.94% annualized vs -3.57%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
JRS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.6% 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 -90.7% for JRS 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 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 53 holdings in JRS and 603 in VYM, totalling 82.2% and 99.5% 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 91 days apart, JRS as of Mar 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in JRS and 603 in VYM, against full books of 87 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of JRS 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 performed better, JRS or VYM?
Over the past year JRS returned +7.60% vs +19.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), JRS annualized -3.57% vs +6.94% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, JRS or VYM?
JRS has been the more volatile fund at 30.6% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: JRS -90.7% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both JRS and VYM?
JRS and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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, JRS or VYM?
JRS yields 7.40% while VYM yields 2.22%, so JRS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than JRS?
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.