MEDI vs VYM
Harbor Health Care ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MEDI or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MEDI led over the full window, VYM over 1Y and 3Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.8%.
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 | MEDI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $44M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.04% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 44 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +5.10% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.98% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.46% | +17.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.30% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.2% | 11.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.2% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.8 years | $17,075Best | $16,110 |
| Top 10 Weight | 56.8% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Harbor Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 16, 2022 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 17, 2022 to Sep 18, 2026 (3.8 years).
MEDI 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 3.8 years both funds cover.
MEDI vs VYM Performance
Harbor Health Care ETF (MEDI) is an ETF from Harbor Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MEDI returned +14.98% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, MEDI is up 5.10% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, MEDI compounded at +14.46% per year against +17.22% for VYM. Across the full 4-year window we track, MEDI has the edge at +15.12% annualized vs +13.37%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MEDI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.2% compared with 11.5% 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 -19.2% for MEDI 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 0.57. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MEDI 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, MEDI currently yields 0.04% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
10.1% of MEDI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.4% of VYM's money is in holdings MEDI also owns.
MEDI and VYM share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 46 positions we hold weights for in MEDI and 557 in VYM, against full books of 44 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 523 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for MEDI (91.7% of the fund), and 35 for MEDI that do not appear in VYM (80.9%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MEDI 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, MEDI or VYM?
MEDI 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, MEDI or VYM?
Over the past year MEDI returned +14.98% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), MEDI annualized +15.12% vs +13.37% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MEDI or VYM?
MEDI has been the more volatile fund at 16.2% annualized versus 11.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: MEDI -19.2% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both MEDI and VYM?
MEDI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.57, 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 MEDI and VYM?
10.1% of MEDI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.4% of VYM's is in holdings MEDI also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 46 positions we hold weights for in MEDI and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, MEDI or VYM?
MEDI yields 0.04% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MEDI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MEDI led over the full window, VYM over 1Y and 3Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 56.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.