MAGG vs VYM
Madison Aggregate Bond ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MAGG or VYM?
Investment Grade Bond against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | MAGG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.36% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $65M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.89% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 206 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -1.88% | +12.87%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.02% | +17.25%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.00% | +17.66%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.98% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.3%Best | 10.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -4.6%Best | -14.5% |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $11,164 | $16,160Best |
| Fund Family | Madison Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Investment Grade Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 28, 2023 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 29, 2023 to Sep 15, 2026 (3 years).
MAGG 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 years both funds cover.
MAGG vs VYM Performance
Madison Aggregate Bond ETF (MAGG) is an ETF from Madison Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MAGG returned -1.02% while VYM returned +17.25%. Year to date, MAGG is down 1.88% versus a gain of 12.87% for VYM.
Over three years, MAGG compounded at +4.00% per year against +17.66% 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 10.9% compared with 5.3% for MAGG. 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 -4.6% for MAGG 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 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MAGG charges 0.36% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $36 vs $4 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MAGG currently yields 4.89% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 126 holdings in MAGG and 557 in VYM, totalling 67.4% 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 126 positions we hold weights for in MAGG and 557 in VYM, against full books of 206 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MAGG 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, MAGG or VYM?
MAGG has an expense ratio of 0.36% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MAGG or VYM?
Over the past year MAGG returned -1.02% vs +17.25% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MAGG or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 10.9% annualized versus 5.3% for MAGG. Worst drawdown: MAGG -4.6% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both MAGG and VYM?
MAGG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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, MAGG or VYM?
MAGG yields 4.89% while VYM yields 2.22%, so MAGG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MAGG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.