MDPL vs VYM
Monarch Dividend Plus Index ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MDPL or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MDPL led over 1Y, VYM over the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 35.5%.
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 | MDPL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.19% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $61M | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.34% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 62 | 610 |
| YTD Return | +13.18% | +14.40%Best |
| 1Y Return | +20.05%Best | +18.20% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.83% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.26% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.7% | 10.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -14.2%Best | -14.5% |
| $10,000 over 2.7 years | $12,319 | $14,919Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 35.5% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Monarch Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 12, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 7, 2024 to Nov 9, 2026 (2.7 years).
MDPL 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 2.7 years both funds cover.
MDPL vs VYM Performance
Monarch Dividend Plus Index ETF (MDPL) is an ETF from Monarch Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MDPL returned +20.05% while VYM returned +18.20%. Year to date, MDPL is up 13.18% versus a gain of 14.40% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MDPL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.7% compared with 10.9% 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 -14.2% for MDPL 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MDPL charges 1.19% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $119 vs $4 annually, a gap of $115 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MDPL currently yields 1.34% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
73.7% of MDPL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 3.3% of VYM's money is in holdings MDPL also owns.
Most of MDPL is already inside VYM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 60 days apart, MDPL as of Oct 30, 2026 and VYM as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
22 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in MDPL and 602 in VYM, against full books of 62 and 610.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 555 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for MDPL (95.3% of the fund), and 8 for MDPL that do not appear in VYM (25.9%).
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 MDPL | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACNAccenture Plc | 3.64% | 0.47% | 3.17% |
| BAHBooz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. | 3.86% | 0.04% | 3.82% |
| MMCMarsh & Mclennan Cos Inc Common Stock Usd 1 | 3.45% | 0.37% | 3.08% |
| CMCSAComcast Corp. Class A | 3.43% | 0.38% | 3.05% |
| OSKOshkosh Corp. | 3.57% | 0.04% | 3.53% |
| APOApollo Global Management Inc | 3.38% | 0.23% | 3.15% |
| FDSFactset Research Systems Inc. | 3.54% | 0.05% | 3.49% |
| BDXBecton Dickinson And Co. | 3.34% | 0.22% | 3.12% |
| CICigna Corp. | 3.19% | 0.29% | 2.90% |
| KBRKbr Inc | 3.44% | 0.02% | 3.42% |
73.7% of MDPL 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, MDPL or VYM?
MDPL has an expense ratio of 1.19% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $115 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MDPL or VYM?
Over the past year MDPL returned +20.05% vs +18.20% for VYM, so MDPL leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MDPL or VYM?
MDPL has been the more volatile fund at 18.7% annualized versus 10.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: MDPL -14.2% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both MDPL and VYM?
MDPL and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 MDPL and VYM?
73.7% of MDPL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 3.3% of VYM's is in holdings MDPL also owns. They hold 22 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in MDPL and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, MDPL or VYM?
MDPL yields 1.34% while VYM yields 2.23%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MDPL?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MDPL led over 1Y, VYM over the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 35.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.