MLPB vs VYM
ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MLPB or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MLPB led over 1Y and 5Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 35.1%.
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 | MLPB | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $210M | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.83% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 41 | 610 |
| YTD Return | +14.71%Best | +11.84% |
| 1Y Return | +18.59%Best | +16.77% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.23% | +18.83%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +18.42%Best | +10.75% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 30.6% | 13.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -77.6% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $23,288Best | $16,662 |
| Top 10 Weight | 35.1% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | UBS AG | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 9, 2015 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 9, 2015 to Nov 6, 2026 (11.1 years).
MLPB 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 11.1 years both funds cover.
MLPB vs VYM Performance
ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B (MLPB) is an ETF from UBS AG and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MLPB returned +18.59% while VYM returned +16.77%. Year to date, MLPB is up 14.71% versus a gain of 11.84% for VYM.
Over three years, MLPB compounded at +16.23% per year against +18.83% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +18.42% and +10.75% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.89% annualized vs +2.44%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MLPB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.6% compared with 13.9% 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 -77.6% for MLPB 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MLPB charges 0.85% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $4 annually, a gap of $81 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MLPB currently yields 5.83% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
42.7% of MLPB's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 28.7% of VYM's money is in holdings MLPB also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 51 days apart, MLPB as of Oct 21, 2026 and VYM as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
17 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in MLPB and 602 in VYM, against full books of 41 and 610.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 560 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for MLPB (69.9% of the fund), and 17 for MLPB that do not appear in VYM (42.6%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MLPB | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.86% | 6.94% | 3.08% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 2.96% | 3.83% | 0.87% |
| XOMExxonmobil Corp. | 2.87% | 2.70% | 0.17% |
| CATCaterpillar Inc | 3.85% | 1.46% | 2.39% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc/The | 3.29% | 1.12% | 2.17% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 2.80% | 1.47% | 1.33% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 2.98% | 1.18% | 1.80% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 2.70% | 1.39% | 1.31% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 2.37% | 1.65% | 0.72% |
| BLKBlackrock Inc Cl A Com | 2.39% | 0.71% | 1.68% |
42.7% of MLPB is already inside VYM.
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, MLPB or VYM?
MLPB has an expense ratio of 0.85% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $81 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MLPB or VYM?
Over the past year MLPB returned +18.59% vs +16.77% for VYM, so MLPB leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), MLPB annualized +2.44% vs +9.89% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MLPB or VYM?
MLPB has been the more volatile fund at 30.6% annualized versus 13.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: MLPB -77.6% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both MLPB and VYM?
MLPB and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 MLPB and VYM?
42.7% of MLPB's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 28.7% of VYM's is in holdings MLPB also owns. They hold 17 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in MLPB and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, MLPB or VYM?
MLPB yields 5.83% while VYM yields 2.23%, so MLPB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MLPB?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MLPB led over 1Y and 5Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 35.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.