KAT vs VYM
Scharf ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, KAT or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.4%.
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 | KAT | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $672M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.45% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 35 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +5.22% | +10.96%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.25% | +15.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.78% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.05% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.4% | 10.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -9.3% | -6.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $10,642 | $11,806Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 49.4% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Scharf Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 30, 2011 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 25, 2025 to Sep 22, 2026 (1.1 years).
KAT 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 1.1 years both funds cover.
KAT vs VYM Performance
Scharf ETF (KAT) is an ETF from Scharf Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year KAT returned +3.25% while VYM returned +15.42%. Year to date, KAT is up 5.22% versus a gain of 10.96% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KAT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.4% compared with 10.0% 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 -9.3% for KAT and -6.7% 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KAT charges 0.75% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $4 annually, a gap of $71 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KAT currently yields 0.45% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
32.0% of KAT's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.2% of VYM's money is in holdings KAT also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
11 positions in common, counted across the 33 positions we hold weights for in KAT and 557 in VYM, against full books of 35 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 517 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for KAT (91.9% of the fund), and 16 for KAT that do not appear in VYM (54.3%).
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 KAT | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 5.54% | 0.70% | 4.84% |
| OXYOccidental Petroleum Corp. | 5.86% | 0.17% | 5.69% |
| DISWalt Disney Co | 3.08% | 0.69% | 2.39% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group, Inc. | 1.83% | 1.52% | 0.31% |
| CMECme Group, Cl A | 2.73% | 0.39% | 2.34% |
| CBChubb Ltd Common Stock Usd 24.15 | 2.50% | 0.50% | 2.00% |
| OTISOtis Worldwide | 2.68% | 0.11% | 2.57% |
| MMCMarsh & Mclennan Cos Inc Common Stock Usd 1 | 2.40% | 0.37% | 2.03% |
| ZTSZoetis Inc, Class A | 2.15% | 0.13% | 2.02% |
| LMTLockheed Martin Corp | 1.61% | 0.48% | 1.13% |
32.0% of KAT is already inside VYM.
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, KAT or VYM?
KAT has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $71 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KAT or VYM?
Over the past year KAT returned +3.25% vs +15.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), KAT annualized +5.82% vs +16.29% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KAT or VYM?
KAT has been the more volatile fund at 12.4% annualized versus 10.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: KAT -9.3% vs VYM -6.7%.
Should I hold both KAT and VYM?
KAT and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 KAT and VYM?
32.0% of KAT's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.2% of VYM's is in holdings KAT also owns. They hold 11 positions in common, counted across the 33 positions we hold weights for in KAT and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, KAT or VYM?
KAT yields 0.45% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than KAT?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.