MORT vs VYM
VanEck Mortgage REIT Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MORT or VYM?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 74.8%.
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 | MORT | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.43% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $374M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 15.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 25 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -7.37% | +10.96%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.79% | +15.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.93% | +17.78%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -2.77% | +12.05%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.1% | 13.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -75.0% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,690 | $17,663Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 74.8% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 16, 2011 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 17, 2011 to Sep 22, 2026 (15.1 years).
MORT 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 15.1 years both funds cover.
MORT vs VYM Performance
VanEck Mortgage REIT Income ETF (MORT) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MORT returned -0.79% while VYM returned +15.42%. Year to date, MORT is down 7.37% versus a gain of 10.96% for VYM.
Over three years, MORT compounded at +4.93% per year against +17.78% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -2.77% and +12.05% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.43% annualized vs -2.41%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MORT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.1% compared with 13.1% 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 -75.0% for MORT 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
MORT charges 0.43% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $43 vs $4 annually, a gap of $39 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MORT currently yields 15.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 24 holdings in MORT and 557 in VYM, totalling 99.3% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in MORT and 557 in VYM, against full books of 25 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 24 and 557 positions we hold weights for.
VYM holds 528 positions MORT does not, 97.1% of the fund.
Largest: AVGO 7.35%, JPM 3.82%, XOM 2.63%, JNJ 2.51%, CSCO 1.86%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MORT 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, MORT or VYM?
MORT has an expense ratio of 0.43% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $39 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MORT or VYM?
Over the past year MORT returned -0.79% vs +15.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), MORT annualized -2.41% vs +10.43% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MORT or VYM?
MORT has been the more volatile fund at 24.1% annualized versus 13.1% for VYM. Worst drawdown: MORT -75.0% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both MORT and VYM?
MORT 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, MORT or VYM?
MORT yields 15.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so MORT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MORT?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 74.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.