JSMD vs VYM
Janus Henderson Small/Mid Cap Growth Alpha ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, JSMD or VYM?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. JSMD led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. JSMD is less concentrated, with 17.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | JSMD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.0B | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 123 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +9.11% | +9.22%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.20% | +12.81%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.37% | +18.21%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.18% | +11.39%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.1% | 14.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.0% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,144 | $17,149Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 17.4%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Janus Henderson Investors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 23, 2016 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 25, 2016 to Oct 1, 2026 (10.6 years).
JSMD 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 10.6 years both funds cover.
JSMD vs VYM Performance
Janus Henderson Small/Mid Cap Growth Alpha ETF (JSMD) is an ETF from Janus Henderson Investors and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year JSMD returned +8.20% while VYM returned +12.81%. Year to date, JSMD is up 9.11% versus a gain of 9.22% for VYM.
Over three years, JSMD compounded at +16.37% per year against +18.21% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +7.18% and +11.39% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, JSMD has the edge at +13.00% annualized vs +10.10%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
JSMD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% compared with 14.0% 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 -39.0% for JSMD and -35.7% 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
JSMD charges 0.30% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $30 vs $4 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, JSMD currently yields 0.44% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
16.1% of JSMD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.3% of VYM's money is in holdings JSMD also owns.
JSMD and VYM share little of their money.
14 positions in common, counted across the 121 positions we hold weights for in JSMD and 557 in VYM, against full books of 123 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 515 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for JSMD (96.8% of the fund), and 103 for JSMD that do not appear in VYM (81.9%).
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 JSMD | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GENGen Digital Inc | 2.02% | 0.06% | 1.96% |
| STEPStepstone Group Lp | 1.75% | 0.01% | 1.74% |
| PIPRPiper Sandler Companies | 1.60% | 0.02% | 1.58% |
| LSTRLandstar System Inc | 1.47% | 0.02% | 1.45% |
| TNETTrinet Group Incinary | 1.44% | 0.01% | 1.43% |
| HRBH&R Block, Inc. | 1.20% | 0.02% | 1.18% |
| MTNVail Resorts Inc. | 1.17% | 0.02% | 1.15% |
| WENWendy's Co/the | 1.11% | 0.00% | 1.11% |
| VCTRVictory Receivables Corp | 1.07% | 0.02% | 1.05% |
| KTBKontoor Brands Inc | 0.86% | 0.02% | 0.84% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of JSMD 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, JSMD or VYM?
JSMD has an expense ratio of 0.30% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, JSMD or VYM?
Over the past year JSMD returned +8.20% vs +12.81% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), JSMD annualized +13.00% vs +10.10% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, JSMD or VYM?
JSMD has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 14.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: JSMD -39.0% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both JSMD and VYM?
JSMD and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 JSMD and VYM?
16.1% of JSMD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.3% of VYM's is in holdings JSMD also owns. They hold 14 positions in common, counted across the 121 positions we hold weights for in JSMD and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, JSMD or VYM?
JSMD yields 0.44% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than JSMD?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. JSMD led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. JSMD is less concentrated, with 17.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.