MDST vs VYM
Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MDST or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MDST led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 64.1%.
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 | MDST | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $297M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.98% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 110 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +18.75%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +21.82%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.7% | 9.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -14.2%Best | -14.5% |
| $10,000 over 2.4 years | $15,053Best | $14,585 |
| Top 10 Weight | 64.1% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Westwood Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 8, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 9, 2024 to Sep 4, 2026 (2.4 years).
MDST 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 2.4 years both funds cover.
MDST vs VYM Performance
Westwood Salient Enhanced Midstream Income ETF (MDST) is an ETF from Westwood Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MDST returned +21.82% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, MDST is up 18.75% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MDST has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.7% compared with 9.8% 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 MDST 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 0.61. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MDST charges 0.80% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $4 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MDST currently yields 9.98% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
34.6% of MDST's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.2% of VYM's money is in holdings MDST also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, MDST as of Aug 18, 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.
6 positions in common, counted across the 25 positions we hold weights for in MDST and 602 in VYM, against full books of 110 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 563 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for MDST (96.0% of the fund), and 14 for MDST that do not appear in VYM (43.7%).
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.
34.6% of MDST 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, MDST or VYM?
MDST has an expense ratio of 0.80% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MDST or VYM?
Over the past year MDST returned +21.82% vs +20.84% for VYM, so MDST leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), MDST annualized +18.58% vs +17.03% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MDST or VYM?
MDST has been the more volatile fund at 10.7% annualized versus 9.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: MDST -14.2% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both MDST and VYM?
MDST and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.61, 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 MDST and VYM?
34.6% of MDST's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.2% of VYM's is in holdings MDST also owns. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 25 positions we hold weights for in MDST and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, MDST or VYM?
MDST yields 9.98% while VYM yields 2.24%, so MDST currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MDST?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MDST led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 64.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.