MLPI vs VYM
NEOS MLP & Energy Infrastructure High Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MLPI or VYM?
Option Writing against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.8%.
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 | MLPI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.68% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $936M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 10.92% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 27 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +3.17% | +10.96%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.62% | +15.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.78% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.05% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 110.9% | 13.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -81.4% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 16.5 years | $36,317 | $46,837Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 62.8% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | NEOS | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 18, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 16.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 1, 2010 to Sep 22, 2026 (16.5 years).
MLPI 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 16.5 years both funds cover.
MLPI vs VYM Performance
NEOS MLP & Energy Infrastructure High Income ETF (MLPI) is an ETF from NEOS and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MLPI returned +4.62% while VYM returned +15.42%. Year to date, MLPI is up 3.17% versus a gain of 10.96% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MLPI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 110.9% compared with 13.2% 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 -81.4% for MLPI 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 0.13. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MLPI charges 0.68% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $68 vs $4 annually, a gap of $64 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MLPI currently yields 10.92% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
35.0% of MLPI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.1% of VYM's money is in holdings MLPI also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
6 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in MLPI and 557 in VYM, against full books of 27 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 522 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for MLPI (95.9% of the fund), and 14 for MLPI 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.
35.0% of MLPI 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, MLPI or VYM?
MLPI has an expense ratio of 0.68% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $64 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MLPI or VYM?
Over the past year MLPI returned +4.62% vs +15.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), MLPI annualized +8.13% vs +9.81% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MLPI or VYM?
MLPI has been the more volatile fund at 110.9% annualized versus 13.2% for VYM. Worst drawdown: MLPI -81.4% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both MLPI and VYM?
MLPI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.13, 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 MLPI and VYM?
35.0% of MLPI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.1% of VYM's is in holdings MLPI also owns. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in MLPI and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, MLPI or VYM?
MLPI yields 10.92% while VYM yields 2.22%, so MLPI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MLPI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.