KYLD vs VYM

KYLD vs VYM

Which is better, KYLD or VYM?

Option Writing against Large Cap Value.

VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y.

Lower Fees: VYMHigher Returns (1Y): VYM

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

MetricKYLDVYM
Expense Ratio1.08%0.04%Best
AUM$53M$78.9B
Dividend Yield27.99%2.37%
Holdings17608
YTD Return-10.17%+13.54%Best
1Y Return-18.45%+17.41%Best
3Y Return (annualized)-+20.15%
5Y Return (annualized)-+11.38%
Volatility (annualized)25.9%11.5%Best
Fund FamilyKurvVanguard (US)
CategoryAlternativeEquity
StyleOption WritingLarge Cap Value
InceptionOct 30, 2025Nov 10, 2006

Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.

KYLD 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.

KYLD vs VYM Performance

Kurv High Income ETF (KYLD) is an ETF from Kurv and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year KYLD returned -18.45% while VYM returned +17.41%. Year to date, KYLD is down 10.17% versus a gain of 13.54% for VYM.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

KYLD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 25.9% compared with 11.5% for VYM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.17. They move largely independently of each other.

Fees and Cost Over Time

KYLD charges 1.08% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $108 vs $4 annually, a gap of $104 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KYLD currently yields 27.99% against 2.37% for VYM.

Holdings Overlap

VYM already in KYLD6.9%

At least 6.9% of VYM's money is in holdings KYLD also owns.

Stated as a floor: for KYLD, our book for it covers 75.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.

VYM and KYLD share little of their money.

1 positions in common, counted across the 17 positions we hold weights for in KYLD and 602 in VYM, against full books of 17 and 608.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in KYLDWeight in VYMDifference
AVGOBroadcom Inc3.81%6.94%3.13%

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of KYLD and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

KYLDVYM

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, KYLD or VYM?

KYLD has an expense ratio of 1.08% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $104 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, KYLD or VYM?

Over the past year KYLD returned -18.45% vs +17.41% 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, KYLD or VYM?

KYLD has been the more volatile fund at 25.9% annualized versus 11.5% for VYM.

Should I hold both KYLD and VYM?

KYLD and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.17, 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 KYLD and VYM?

At least 6.9% of VYM's money is in holdings KYLD also owns. Our book for KYLD is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 17 positions we hold weights for in KYLD and 602 in VYM.

Which pays a higher dividend, KYLD or VYM?

KYLD yields 27.99% while VYM yields 2.37%, so KYLD currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VYM better than KYLD?

VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.