KNOW vs VYM
Fundamentals First ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, KNOW or VYM?
Allocation/Balanced 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 30.5%.
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 | KNOW | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.09% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $9M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.27% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 90 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +10.71% | +12.29%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.18% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.42% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.12% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.6% | 10.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -16.0% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.6 years | $12,598 | $14,991Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 30.5% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Fundamentals First Fund | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Allocation/Balanced | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 27, 2024 to Sep 17, 2026 (2.6 years).
KNOW 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 2.6 years both funds cover.
KNOW vs VYM Performance
Fundamentals First ETF (KNOW) is an ETF from Fundamentals First Fund and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year KNOW returned +12.18% while VYM returned +16.61%. Year to date, KNOW is up 10.71% versus a gain of 12.29% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KNOW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.6% compared with 10.5% 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 -16.0% for KNOW 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KNOW charges 1.09% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $109 vs $4 annually, a gap of $105 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KNOW currently yields 1.27% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
21.7% of KNOW's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.6% of VYM's money is in holdings KNOW also owns.
KNOW and VYM share little of their money.
24 positions in common, counted across the 87 positions we hold weights for in KNOW and 557 in VYM, against full books of 90 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 504 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for KNOW (91.5% of the fund), and 38 for KNOW that do not appear in VYM (55.3%).
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 KNOW | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.53% | 0.90% | 0.63% |
| MCDMcdonald'S Corp | 1.05% | 0.78% | 0.27% |
| SNASnap-On Inc. | 1.58% | 0.08% | 1.50% |
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. | 1.22% | 0.43% | 0.79% |
| ATOAtmos Energy Corp | 1.52% | 0.12% | 1.40% |
| HUBBHubbell Inc | 1.40% | 0.10% | 1.30% |
| PAYXPaychex, Inc. | 1.21% | 0.15% | 1.06% |
| KMIKinder Morgan Inc./de | 1.06% | 0.25% | 0.81% |
| CMECme Group, Cl A | 0.87% | 0.39% | 0.48% |
| CPKChesapeake Utilities Corp | 1.24% | 0.01% | 1.23% |
21.7% of KNOW 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, KNOW or VYM?
KNOW has an expense ratio of 1.09% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $105 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KNOW or VYM?
Over the past year KNOW returned +12.18% vs +16.61% 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, KNOW or VYM?
KNOW has been the more volatile fund at 10.6% annualized versus 10.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: KNOW -16.0% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both KNOW and VYM?
KNOW and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 KNOW and VYM?
21.7% of KNOW's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.6% of VYM's is in holdings KNOW also owns. They hold 24 positions in common, counted across the 87 positions we hold weights for in KNOW and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, KNOW or VYM?
KNOW yields 1.27% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than KNOW?
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 30.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.