MFSG vs VYM
MFS Active Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MFSG or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.7%.
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 | MFSG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $375M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.07% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 69 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +4.84% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.05% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.9% | 9.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.2% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $11,713 | $12,804Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 52.7% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | MFS Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 5, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 5, 2024 to Sep 10, 2026 (1.8 years).
MFSG 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
MFSG vs VYM Performance
MFS Active Growth ETF (MFSG) is an ETF from MFS Investment Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MFSG returned +7.05% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, MFSG is up 4.84% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MFSG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.9% compared with 9.7% 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 -23.2% for MFSG 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 0.55. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MFSG charges 0.49% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $4 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MFSG currently yields 0.07% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
14.9% of MFSG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 16.3% of VYM's money is in holdings MFSG also owns.
VYM and MFSG share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, MFSG 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.
14 positions in common, counted across the 68 positions we hold weights for in MFSG and 603 in VYM, against full books of 69 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 553 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for MFSG (81.2% of the fund), and 48 for MFSG that do not appear in VYM (81.0%).
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 MFSG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.71% | 7.29% | 3.58% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.89% | 2.01% | 1.12% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 1.04% | 1.17% | 0.13% |
| MSMorgan Stanley | 1.15% | 0.97% | 0.18% |
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.95% | 0.99% | 0.04% |
| ETNEaton Corp. Plc | 1.06% | 0.69% | 0.37% |
| GILDGilead Sciences Inc | 1.02% | 0.65% | 0.37% |
| MDTMedtronic Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.95% | 0.42% | 0.53% |
| SBUXStarbucks Corp | 0.85% | 0.48% | 0.37% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 0.53% | 0.65% | 0.12% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MFSG 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, MFSG or VYM?
MFSG has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MFSG or VYM?
Over the past year MFSG returned +7.05% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), MFSG annualized +9.18% vs +14.72% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MFSG or VYM?
MFSG has been the more volatile fund at 17.9% annualized versus 9.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: MFSG -23.2% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both MFSG and VYM?
MFSG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.55, 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 MFSG and VYM?
16.3% of VYM's money is in holdings MFSG also owns. 16.3% of VYM's is in holdings MFSG also owns. They hold 14 positions in common, counted across the 68 positions we hold weights for in MFSG and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, MFSG or VYM?
MFSG yields 0.07% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MFSG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.