KBWR vs VYM
Invesco KBW Regional Banking ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, KBWR or VYM?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. KBWR led over the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 29.9%.
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 | KBWR | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $52M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.65% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 52 | 613 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 27.1% | 13.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -52.9% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 14.3 years | $42,732Best | $42,183 |
| Top 10 Weight | 29.9% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 1, 2011 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 202 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. KBWR has data through Feb 20, 2026 and VYM through Sep 10, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 14.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 1, 2011 to Feb 20, 2026 (14.3 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KBWR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.1% compared with 13.0% 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 -52.9% for KBWR 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 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KBWR charges 0.35% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $4 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KBWR currently yields 2.65% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
86.8% of KBWR's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.0% of VYM's money is in holdings KBWR also owns.
Most of KBWR is already inside VYM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 273 days apart, KBWR as of Sep 30, 2025 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.
43 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in KBWR and 603 in VYM, against full books of 52 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 526 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for KBWR (96.5% of the fund), and 8 for KBWR that do not appear in VYM (13.1%).
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 KBWR | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSBSouthstate Bank Corporation | 3.97% | 0.04% | 3.93% |
| WBSWebster Financial Corp | 3.89% | 0.05% | 3.84% |
| UMBFUmb Financial Corp | 3.66% | 0.04% | 3.62% |
| WTFCWintrust Financial Corp | 3.57% | 0.04% | 3.53% |
| ONBOld National Bancorp/In Common Stock | 3.46% | 0.04% | 3.42% |
| COLBColumbia Banking System Inc Common Stock | 2.79% | 0.04% | 2.75% |
| EBCEastern Bankshares Inc | 2.18% | 0.02% | 2.16% |
| VLYValley National Bancorp | 2.13% | 0.03% | 2.10% |
| BOKFBok Financial Corp. | 2.11% | 0.01% | 2.10% |
| AUBAtlantic Union Bankshares Corp Common Stock USD 1.33 | 2.07% | 0.02% | 2.05% |
86.8% of KBWR 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, KBWR or VYM?
KBWR has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, KBWR or VYM?
KBWR has been the more volatile fund at 27.1% annualized versus 13.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: KBWR -52.9% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both KBWR and VYM?
KBWR and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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 KBWR and VYM?
86.8% of KBWR's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.0% of VYM's is in holdings KBWR also owns. They hold 43 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in KBWR and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, KBWR or VYM?
KBWR yields 2.65% while VYM yields 2.22%, so KBWR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than KBWR?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. KBWR led over the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 29.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.