MISL vs VYM
First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MISL or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MISL led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.2%.
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 | MISL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $741M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.32% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 80 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -1.85% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.97% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.24%Best | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.3% | 11.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -17.9% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $21,696Best | $17,643 |
| Top 10 Weight | 61.2% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 25, 2022 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 26, 2022 to Sep 4, 2026 (3.9 years).
MISL 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 3.9 years both funds cover.
MISL vs VYM Performance
First Trust Indxx Aerospace & Defense ETF (MISL) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MISL returned +12.97% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, MISL is down 1.85% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, MISL compounded at +24.24% per year against +18.64% for VYM. Across the full 4-year window we track, MISL has the edge at +21.97% annualized vs +15.67%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MISL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% 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 -17.9% for MISL 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 0.50. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MISL charges 0.60% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $4 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MISL currently yields 0.32% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
17.9% of MISL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.4% of VYM's money is in holdings MISL also owns.
MISL and VYM share little of their money.
6 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in MISL and 603 in VYM, against full books of 80 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 564 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for MISL (96.0% of the fund), and 33 for MISL that do not appear in VYM (82.0%).
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 MISL | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LMTLockheed Martin Corp | 4.27% | 0.43% | 3.84% |
| GDGeneral Dynamics Corp. | 3.96% | 0.38% | 3.58% |
| NOCNorthrop Grumman Corp. | 4.00% | 0.28% | 3.72% |
| LHXL3Harris Technologies Inc. | 3.81% | 0.22% | 3.59% |
| HIIHuntington Ingalls Industries Inc. | 1.30% | 0.05% | 1.25% |
| SAICScience Applications International Corp | 0.53% | 0.02% | 0.51% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MISL 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, MISL or VYM?
MISL has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MISL or VYM?
Over the past year MISL returned +12.97% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), MISL annualized +21.97% vs +15.67% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MISL or VYM?
MISL has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 11.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: MISL -17.9% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both MISL and VYM?
MISL and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.50, 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 MISL and VYM?
17.9% of MISL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.4% of VYM's is in holdings MISL also owns. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in MISL and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, MISL or VYM?
MISL yields 0.32% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MISL?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MISL led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.