LDDR vs VYM
LifeX 2035 Income Bucket ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, LDDR or VYM?
Long Term Government Bond against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM 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 | LDDR | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $39M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 12.96% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 42 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -10.06% | +12.29%Best |
| 1Y Return | -9.53% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.42% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.12% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.4%Best | 9.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -10.7%Best | -14.5% |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $9,595 | $13,031Best |
| Fund Family | Stone Ridge Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Government Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 6, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 6, 2025 to Sep 17, 2026 (1.7 years).
LDDR 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 1.7 years both funds cover.
LDDR vs VYM Performance
LifeX 2035 Income Bucket ETF (LDDR) is an ETF from Stone Ridge Asset Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year LDDR returned -9.53% while VYM returned +16.61%. Year to date, LDDR is down 10.06% versus a gain of 12.29% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 9.8% compared with 4.4% for LDDR. 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 -10.7% for LDDR 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 0.18. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LDDR charges 0.25% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $4 annually, a gap of $21 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LDDR currently yields 12.96% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 29 holdings in LDDR and 557 in VYM, totalling 57.8% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 29 positions we hold weights for in LDDR and 557 in VYM, against full books of 42 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LDDR 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, LDDR or VYM?
LDDR has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $21 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LDDR or VYM?
Over the past year LDDR returned -9.53% vs +16.61% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), LDDR annualized -2.40% vs +16.85% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LDDR or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 9.8% annualized versus 4.4% for LDDR. Worst drawdown: LDDR -10.7% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both LDDR and VYM?
LDDR and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.18, 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, LDDR or VYM?
LDDR yields 12.96% while VYM yields 2.22%, so LDDR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than LDDR?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM 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.