LAYS vs VYM
STKd 100% NVDA & 100% AMD ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, LAYS or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. LAYS led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | LAYS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.29% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $6M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 15.43% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 5 | 613 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 115.8% | 10.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -47.2% | -12.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $38,035Best | $12,342 |
| Fund Family | Quantify Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 5, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 140 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. LAYS has data through Apr 23, 2026 and VYM through Sep 10, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 6, 2025 to Apr 23, 2026 (1.1 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LAYS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 115.8% 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 -47.2% for LAYS and -12.0% 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 0.24. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LAYS charges 1.29% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $129 vs $4 annually, a gap of $125 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LAYS currently yields 15.43% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in LAYS and 603 in VYM, totalling 8.1% and 99.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 181 days apart, LAYS as of Dec 31, 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in LAYS and 603 in VYM, against full books of 5 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LAYS 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, LAYS or VYM?
LAYS has an expense ratio of 1.29% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $125 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, LAYS or VYM?
LAYS has been the more volatile fund at 115.8% annualized versus 10.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: LAYS -47.2% vs VYM -12.0%.
Should I hold both LAYS and VYM?
LAYS and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.24, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, LAYS or VYM?
LAYS yields 15.43% while VYM yields 2.22%, so LAYS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than LAYS?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. LAYS led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.