KEAT vs VYM
Keating Active ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, KEAT 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 68.3%.
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 | KEAT | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $118M | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.40% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 60 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +8.43% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.34% | +13.75%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.81% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.63% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.4% | 10.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -10.6%Best | -14.5% |
| $10,000 over 2.5 years | $13,685 | $13,836Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 68.3% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Keating Investment Counselors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 27, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 27, 2024 to Oct 2, 2026 (2.5 years).
KEAT 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 2.5 years both funds cover.
KEAT vs VYM Performance
Keating Active ETF (KEAT) is an ETF from Keating Investment Counselors and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year KEAT returned +13.34% while VYM returned +13.75%. Year to date, KEAT is up 8.43% versus a gain of 10.00% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KEAT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.4% compared with 10.7% 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 -10.6% for KEAT and -14.5% 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.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KEAT charges 0.85% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $4 annually, a gap of $81 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KEAT currently yields 2.40% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
12.8% of KEAT's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.9% of VYM's money is in holdings KEAT also owns.
KEAT and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, KEAT as of Sep 15, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
7 positions in common, counted across the 29 positions we hold weights for in KEAT and 557 in VYM, against full books of 60 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 521 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for KEAT (94.2% of the fund), and 10 for KEAT that do not appear in VYM (52.9%).
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 KEAT | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VZVerizon Communications Inc Vz | 3.56% | 0.80% | 2.76% |
| LMTLockheed Martin Corp | 2.63% | 0.48% | 2.15% |
| TAPMolson Coors Brewing Co. Class B | 2.59% | 0.03% | 2.56% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 1.03% | 1.21% | 0.18% |
| LWLambwestonholdings Inc. | 1.43% | 0.03% | 1.40% |
| CALMCal-maine Foods Inc | 1.08% | 0.02% | 1.06% |
| UPSUnited Parcel Service, Inc | 0.50% | 0.32% | 0.18% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of KEAT 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, KEAT or VYM?
KEAT has an expense ratio of 0.85% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $81 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KEAT or VYM?
Over the past year KEAT returned +13.34% vs +13.75% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KEAT or VYM?
KEAT has been the more volatile fund at 12.4% annualized versus 10.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: KEAT -10.6% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both KEAT and VYM?
KEAT 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.
What is the holdings overlap between KEAT and VYM?
12.8% of KEAT's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.9% of VYM's is in holdings KEAT also owns. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 29 positions we hold weights for in KEAT and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, KEAT or VYM?
KEAT yields 2.40% while VYM yields 2.22%, so KEAT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than KEAT?
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 68.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.