MFUS vs VYM
PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor US Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MFUS or VYM?
Nearly the same fund. VYM costs less.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MFUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. MFUS is less concentrated, with 16.0% 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 | MFUS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $297M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.37% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 884 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +15.36%Best | +12.87% |
| 1Y Return | +18.93%Best | +17.25% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.30%Best | +17.66% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.69%Best | +11.98% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.2%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,173Best | $17,608 |
| Top 10 Weight | 16.0%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | PIMCO (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | 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 Sep 15, 2026 (9 years).
MFUS 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 years both funds cover.
MFUS vs VYM Performance
PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor US Equity ETF (MFUS) is an ETF from PIMCO (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MFUS returned +18.93% while VYM returned +17.25%. Year to date, MFUS is up 15.36% versus a gain of 12.87% for VYM.
Over three years, MFUS compounded at +20.30% per year against +17.66% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +12.69% and +11.98% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, MFUS has the edge at +12.37% annualized vs +10.14%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MFUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 14.9% 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 -35.2% for MFUS 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 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MFUS charges 0.29% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $29 vs $4 annually, a gap of $25 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MFUS currently yields 1.37% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
56.9% of MFUS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 76.9% of VYM's money is in holdings MFUS also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside MFUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
368 positions in common, counted across the 874 positions we hold weights for in MFUS and 557 in VYM, against full books of 884 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 163 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for MFUS (20.2% of the fund), and 487 for MFUS that do not appear in VYM (42.1%).
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 MFUS | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.46% | 7.35% | 5.89% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.84% | 2.63% | 0.79% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.73% | 2.51% | 0.78% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.29% | 1.86% | 0.57% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.31% | 1.80% | 0.49% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 1.61% | 1.48% | 0.13% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 1.23% | 1.31% | 0.08% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 1.49% | 0.89% | 0.60% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.75% | 1.50% | 0.75% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.78% | 1.37% | 0.59% |
76.9% of VYM is already inside MFUS.
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, MFUS or VYM?
MFUS has an expense ratio of 0.29% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $25 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MFUS or VYM?
Over the past year MFUS returned +18.93% vs +17.25% for VYM, so MFUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), MFUS annualized +12.37% vs +10.14% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MFUS or VYM?
MFUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 14.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: MFUS -35.2% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both MFUS and VYM?
MFUS and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between MFUS and VYM?
76.9% of VYM's money is in holdings MFUS also owns. 76.9% of VYM's is in holdings MFUS also owns. They hold 368 positions in common, counted across the 874 positions we hold weights for in MFUS and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, MFUS or VYM?
MFUS yields 1.37% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MFUS?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MFUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. MFUS is less concentrated, with 16.0% 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.