MSLC vs VYM
Morgan Stanley Pathway Large Cap Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MSLC or VYM?
Large Cap Blend 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 34.4%.
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 | MSLC | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $4.1B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.92% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 789 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +10.11% | +13.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.28% | +17.46%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.73% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.22% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.2% | 9.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -17.9% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $12,399 | $12,899Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.4% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Morgan Stanley | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 9, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 9, 2024 to Sep 14, 2026 (1.8 years).
MSLC 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
MSLC vs VYM Performance
Morgan Stanley Pathway Large Cap Equity ETF (MSLC) is an ETF from Morgan Stanley and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MSLC returned +13.28% while VYM returned +17.46%. Year to date, MSLC is up 10.11% versus a gain of 13.08% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MSLC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.2% compared with 9.7% 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 MSLC 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MSLC charges 0.39% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $4 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MSLC currently yields 1.92% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
32.1% of MSLC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 91.1% of VYM's money is in holdings MSLC also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside MSLC. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
325 positions in common, counted across the 786 positions we hold weights for in MSLC and 557 in VYM, against full books of 789 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 206 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for MSLC (6.2% of the fund), and 391 for MSLC that do not appear in VYM (64.8%).
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 MSLC | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.47% | 7.35% | 4.88% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.58% | 3.82% | 2.24% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.06% | 2.63% | 1.57% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.62% | 2.51% | 1.89% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.76% | 1.86% | 1.10% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.72% | 1.80% | 1.08% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 0.74% | 1.66% | 0.92% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.56% | 1.52% | 0.96% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.65% | 1.38% | 0.73% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.71% | 1.31% | 0.60% |
91.1% of VYM is already inside MSLC.
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, MSLC or VYM?
MSLC has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MSLC or VYM?
Over the past year MSLC returned +13.28% vs +17.46% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), MSLC annualized +12.69% vs +15.19% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MSLC or VYM?
MSLC has been the more volatile fund at 12.2% annualized versus 9.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: MSLC -17.9% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both MSLC and VYM?
MSLC and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 MSLC and VYM?
91.1% of VYM's money is in holdings MSLC also owns. 91.1% of VYM's is in holdings MSLC also owns. They hold 325 positions in common, counted across the 786 positions we hold weights for in MSLC and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, MSLC or VYM?
MSLC yields 1.92% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MSLC?
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 34.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.