MFDX vs VYM
PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor International Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MFDX or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MFDX led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. MFDX is less concentrated, with 8.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | MFDX | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $457M | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.84% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,300 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +8.88% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.75%Best | +13.75% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.22%Best | +18.81% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.85% | +11.63%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.8%Best | 14.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -39.1% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,737 | $17,334Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 8.1%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | PIMCO (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 31, 2017 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 6, 2017 to Oct 2, 2026 (9.1 years).
MFDX 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 9.1 years both funds cover.
MFDX vs VYM Performance
PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor International Equity ETF (MFDX) is an ETF from PIMCO (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MFDX returned +14.75% while VYM returned +13.75%. Year to date, MFDX is up 8.88% versus a gain of 10.00% for VYM.
Over three years, MFDX compounded at +20.22% per year against +18.81% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +10.85% and +11.63% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.77% annualized vs +7.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.9% compared with 14.8% for MFDX. 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 -39.1% for MFDX and -35.7% 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MFDX charges 0.39% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $4 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MFDX currently yields 2.84% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
0.5% of MFDX's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.5% of VYM's money is in holdings MFDX also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, MFDX as of Sep 15, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
5 positions in common, counted across the 1,272 positions we hold weights for in MFDX and 557 in VYM, against full books of 1,300 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 524 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for MFDX (96.6% of the fund), and 28 for MFDX that do not appear in VYM (4.6%).
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 MFDX 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, MFDX or VYM?
MFDX has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MFDX or VYM?
Over the past year MFDX returned +14.75% vs +13.75% for VYM, so MFDX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), MFDX annualized +7.69% vs +9.77% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MFDX or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 14.9% annualized versus 14.8% for MFDX. Worst drawdown: MFDX -39.1% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both MFDX and VYM?
MFDX and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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, MFDX or VYM?
MFDX yields 2.84% while VYM yields 2.22%, so MFDX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MFDX?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MFDX led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. MFDX is less concentrated, with 8.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.