LSAT vs VYM
LeaderShares AlphaFactor Tactical Focused ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, LSAT or VYM?
Tactical Allocation against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.0%.
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 | LSAT | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.99% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $65M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.62% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 34 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +16.31%Best | +10.96% |
| 1Y Return | +11.01% | +15.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.20% | +17.78%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.41% | +12.05%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 14.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -20.5% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,296 | $17,663Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 39.0% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | LeaderShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Tactical Allocation | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 26, 2020 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 27, 2020 to Sep 22, 2026 (5.9 years).
LSAT 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 5.9 years both funds cover.
LSAT vs VYM Performance
LeaderShares AlphaFactor Tactical Focused ETF (LSAT) is an ETF from LeaderShares and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year LSAT returned +11.01% while VYM returned +15.42%. Year to date, LSAT is up 16.31% versus a gain of 10.96% for VYM.
Over three years, LSAT compounded at +12.20% per year against +17.78% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +7.41% and +12.05% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +15.09% annualized vs +12.65%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LSAT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% 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 -20.5% for LSAT and -15.8% 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LSAT charges 0.99% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $99 vs $4 annually, a gap of $95 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LSAT currently yields 1.62% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
47.5% of LSAT's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.7% of VYM's money is in holdings LSAT also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
14 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in LSAT and 557 in VYM, against full books of 34 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 514 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for LSAT (96.4% of the fund), and 12 for LSAT that do not appear in VYM (39.1%).
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 LSAT | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMSm Energy Co | 4.40% | 0.03% | 4.37% |
| HRBH&R Block, Inc. | 4.21% | 0.02% | 4.19% |
| CFCf Industries Holdings Inc. | 3.71% | 0.08% | 3.63% |
| SAICScience Applications International Corp | 3.64% | 0.02% | 3.62% |
| EQHEquitable Holdings Inc. | 3.59% | 0.05% | 3.54% |
| HOGHarley-Davidson | 3.54% | 0.01% | 3.53% |
| MTGMgic Investment Corp | 3.40% | 0.03% | 3.37% |
| MTCHMatch Group Inc | 3.38% | 0.04% | 3.34% |
| AIGAmerican International Gr | 3.19% | 0.17% | 3.02% |
| SYFSynchrony Financial | 3.15% | 0.10% | 3.05% |
47.5% of LSAT 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, LSAT or VYM?
LSAT has an expense ratio of 0.99% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $95 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LSAT or VYM?
Over the past year LSAT returned +11.01% vs +15.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), LSAT annualized +12.65% vs +15.09% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LSAT or VYM?
LSAT has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 14.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: LSAT -20.5% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both LSAT and VYM?
LSAT and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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 LSAT and VYM?
47.5% of LSAT's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.7% of VYM's is in holdings LSAT also owns. They hold 14 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in LSAT and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, LSAT or VYM?
LSAT yields 1.62% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than LSAT?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.