KYN vs VYM
Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, KYN or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. KYN led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VYM over the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 77.5%.
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 | KYN | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 10.00% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $3.9B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.95% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 36 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +23.71%Best | +11.71% |
| 1Y Return | +28.19%Best | +16.24% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +29.10%Best | +17.24% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +23.42%Best | +11.86% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 31.5% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -95.1% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $28,637Best | $17,514 |
| Top 10 Weight | 77.5% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 28, 2004 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 16, 2026 (19.8 years).
KYN 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
KYN vs VYM Performance
Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc. (KYN) is an ETF from Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year KYN returned +28.19% while VYM returned +16.24%. Year to date, KYN is up 23.71% versus a gain of 11.71% for VYM.
Over three years, KYN compounded at +29.10% per year against +17.24% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +23.42% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.84% annualized vs -1.10%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KYN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 31.5% compared with 14.6% 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 -95.1% for KYN and -58.8% 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 0.52. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KYN charges 10.00% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $1000 vs $4 annually, a gap of $996 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KYN currently yields 5.95% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
25.8% of KYN's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.2% of VYM's money is in holdings KYN also owns.
KYN and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 243 days apart, KYN as of Nov 30, 2025 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.
9 positions in common, counted across the 23 positions we hold weights for in KYN and 557 in VYM, against full books of 36 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 519 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for KYN (94.9% of the fund), and 9 for KYN that do not appear in VYM (45.2%).
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 KYN | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMIKinder Morgan Inc./de | 7.69% | 0.25% | 7.44% |
| OKEOneok Inc. | 5.97% | 0.23% | 5.74% |
| TRGPTarga Resources Corp Preferred | 3.76% | 0.23% | 3.53% |
| DTMDT Midstream Inc | 2.18% | 0.06% | 2.12% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 1.93% | 0.24% | 1.69% |
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.02% | 0.90% | 0.12% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 1.68% | 0.03% | 1.65% |
| ETREntergy Corp. | 1.21% | 0.20% | 1.01% |
| AROCArchrock, Inc. | 0.36% | 0.02% | 0.34% |
25.8% of KYN 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, KYN or VYM?
KYN has an expense ratio of 10.00% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $996 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KYN or VYM?
Over the past year KYN returned +28.19% vs +16.24% for VYM, so KYN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), KYN annualized -1.10% vs +6.84% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KYN or VYM?
KYN has been the more volatile fund at 31.5% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: KYN -95.1% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both KYN and VYM?
KYN and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.52, 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 KYN and VYM?
25.8% of KYN's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.2% of VYM's is in holdings KYN also owns. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 23 positions we hold weights for in KYN and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, KYN or VYM?
KYN yields 5.95% while VYM yields 2.22%, so KYN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than KYN?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. KYN led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VYM over the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 77.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.