LOWV vs VYM
AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, LOWV or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. LOWV led over the full window, VYM over 1Y and 3Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.7%.
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 | LOWV | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $200M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.86% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 72 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +5.98% | +9.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.62% | +13.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.83% | +17.30%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.45% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.8%Best | 11.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.9%Best | -14.5% |
| $10,000 over 3.5 years | $17,179Best | $16,949 |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.7% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | AllianceBernstein L.P. | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 22, 2023 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 22, 2023 to Sep 24, 2026 (3.5 years).
LOWV 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 3.5 years both funds cover.
LOWV vs VYM Performance
AB US Low Volatility Equity ETF (LOWV) is an ETF from AllianceBernstein L.P. and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year LOWV returned +5.62% while VYM returned +13.77%. Year to date, LOWV is up 5.98% versus a gain of 9.71% for VYM.
Over three years, LOWV compounded at +15.83% per year against +17.30% for VYM. Across the full 4-year window we track, LOWV has the edge at +16.72% annualized vs +16.27%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.6% compared with 9.8% for LOWV. 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 -13.9% for LOWV 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LOWV charges 0.39% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $4 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LOWV currently yields 0.86% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
36.5% of LOWV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 31.6% of VYM's money is in holdings LOWV also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
28 positions in common, counted across the 68 positions we hold weights for in LOWV and 557 in VYM, against full books of 72 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 500 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for LOWV (65.5% of the fund), and 33 for LOWV that do not appear in VYM (56.5%).
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 LOWV | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.19% | 7.35% | 3.16% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.68% | 3.82% | 2.14% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 2.37% | 1.86% | 0.51% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.15% | 2.63% | 1.48% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 2.07% | 1.66% | 0.41% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 2.34% | 1.31% | 1.03% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.74% | 1.80% | 0.06% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 1.52% | 1.21% | 0.31% |
| GILDGilead Sciences | 1.97% | 0.66% | 1.31% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.93% | 1.52% | 0.59% |
36.5% of LOWV 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, LOWV or VYM?
LOWV has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LOWV or VYM?
Over the past year LOWV returned +5.62% vs +13.77% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), LOWV annualized +16.72% vs +16.27% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LOWV or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 11.6% annualized versus 9.8% for LOWV. Worst drawdown: LOWV -13.9% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both LOWV and VYM?
LOWV and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 LOWV and VYM?
36.5% of LOWV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 31.6% of VYM's is in holdings LOWV also owns. They hold 28 positions in common, counted across the 68 positions we hold weights for in LOWV and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, LOWV or VYM?
LOWV yields 0.86% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than LOWV?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. LOWV led over the full window, VYM over 1Y and 3Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.