LKOR vs VYM
Northern Trust Credit-Scored US Long Corporate Bond ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, LKOR or VYM?
Long Term Mid Quality against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | LKOR | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $34M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.90% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 832 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -6.99% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | -8.38% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +2.49% | +17.99%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -4.28% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 27.8% | 14.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.4% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,036 | $17,750Best |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Mid Quality | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 23, 2015 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 24, 2015 to Sep 10, 2026 (11 years).
LKOR 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 11 years both funds cover.
LKOR vs VYM Performance
Northern Trust Credit-Scored US Long Corporate Bond ETF (LKOR) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year LKOR returned -8.38% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, LKOR is down 6.99% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, LKOR compounded at +2.49% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -4.28% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.69% annualized vs +1.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LKOR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.8% 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 -42.4% for LKOR 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 0.09. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LKOR charges 0.15% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $4 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LKOR currently yields 5.90% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.1% of VYM's money is in holdings LKOR also owns.
Stated as a floor: for LKOR, our book for it covers 85.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, LKOR as of Aug 31, 2026 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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 772 positions we hold weights for in LKOR and 603 in VYM, against full books of 832 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in LKOR | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RPRXRoyalty Pharma Plc Cl A | 0.08% | 0.10% | 0.02% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LKOR 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, LKOR or VYM?
LKOR has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LKOR or VYM?
Over the past year LKOR returned -8.38% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), LKOR annualized +1.99% vs +10.69% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LKOR or VYM?
LKOR has been the more volatile fund at 27.8% annualized versus 14.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: LKOR -42.4% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both LKOR and VYM?
LKOR and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.09, 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, LKOR or VYM?
LKOR yields 5.90% while VYM yields 2.22%, so LKOR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than LKOR?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.