LEAD vs VYM
Siren DIVCON Leaders Dividend ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, LEAD or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. LEAD led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.3%.
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 | LEAD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.43% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $72M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.55% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 54 | 613 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7% | 14.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -32.2%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 10.5 years | $38,396Best | $28,666 |
| Top 10 Weight | 42.3% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | SRN Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 6, 2016 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 65 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. LEAD has data through Jul 14, 2026 and VYM through Sep 17, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 10.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 6, 2016 to Jul 14, 2026 (10.5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LEAD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 14.0% 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 -32.2% for LEAD and -35.7% 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
LEAD charges 0.43% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $43 vs $4 annually, a gap of $39 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LEAD currently yields 0.55% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
31.0% of LEAD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 13.7% of VYM's money is in holdings LEAD also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 92 days apart, LEAD as of Apr 30, 2026 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.
19 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in LEAD and 557 in VYM, against full books of 54 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 508 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for LEAD (83.4% of the fund), and 32 for LEAD that do not appear in VYM (67.5%).
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 LEAD | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 6.55% | 7.35% | 0.80% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc/The | 1.86% | 1.13% | 0.73% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 2.19% | 0.73% | 1.46% |
| CMICummins Inc. | 1.97% | 0.36% | 1.61% |
| HUBBHubbell Inc | 2.11% | 0.10% | 2.01% |
| ETNEaton Corp Plc | 1.55% | 0.65% | 0.90% |
| CARRCarrier Global Corp Common Stock Usd.01 | 1.84% | 0.20% | 1.64% |
| ALLAllstate Corp. | 1.67% | 0.27% | 1.40% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 1.12% | 0.74% | 0.38% |
| MSCIM S C I Inc. | 1.68% | 0.16% | 1.52% |
31.0% of LEAD 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, LEAD or VYM?
LEAD has an expense ratio of 0.43% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $39 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, LEAD or VYM?
LEAD has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 14.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: LEAD -32.2% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both LEAD and VYM?
LEAD 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 LEAD and VYM?
31.0% of LEAD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 13.7% of VYM's is in holdings LEAD also owns. They hold 19 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in LEAD and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, LEAD or VYM?
LEAD yields 0.55% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than LEAD?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. LEAD led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.