MCR vs VYM
MFS Charter Income Trust vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MCR or VYM?
Diversified Sectoral Bond against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y 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 | MCR | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.02% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $270M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.17% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,076 | 613 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.7%Best | 14.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -45.2%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 19.6 years | $11,200 | $36,777Best |
| Fund Family | MFS Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Diversified Sectoral Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 20, 1989 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 85 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. MCR has data through Jun 18, 2026 and VYM through Sep 11, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 19.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Jun 18, 2026 (19.6 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 10.7% for MCR. 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 -45.2% for MCR and -58.8% 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 0.58. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MCR charges 1.02% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $102 vs $4 annually, a gap of $98 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MCR currently yields 8.17% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.3% of VYM's money is in holdings MCR also owns.
Stated as a floor: for MCR, our book for it covers 90.1% 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 122 days apart, MCR as of Feb 28, 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 549 positions we hold weights for in MCR and 603 in VYM, against full books of 1,076 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MCR | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TMUST-Mobile Usa, Inc. 3.875% 15-Apr-2030 | 0.02% | 0.34% | 0.32% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MCR 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, MCR or VYM?
MCR has an expense ratio of 1.02% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $98 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, MCR or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 10.7% for MCR. Worst drawdown: MCR -45.2% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both MCR and VYM?
MCR and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.58, 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, MCR or VYM?
MCR yields 8.17% while VYM yields 2.22%, so MCR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MCR?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.