MTUM vs VYM
iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MTUM or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MTUM 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 34.9%.
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 | MTUM | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $23.9B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.62% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 130 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +25.72%Best | +9.71% |
| 1Y Return | +24.87%Best | +13.77% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +32.15%Best | +17.30% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.87%Best | +11.45% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7% | 13.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.1%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,319Best | $17,195 |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.9% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 16, 2013 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 18, 2013 to Sep 24, 2026 (13.4 years).
MTUM 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 13.4 years both funds cover.
MTUM vs VYM Performance
iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MTUM returned +24.87% while VYM returned +13.77%. Year to date, MTUM is up 25.72% versus a gain of 9.71% for VYM.
Over three years, MTUM compounded at +32.15% per year against +17.30% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +12.87% and +11.45% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, MTUM has the edge at +15.08% annualized vs +9.46%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MTUM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.7% compared with 13.4% 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 -34.1% for MTUM 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
MTUM charges 0.15% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $4 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MTUM currently yields 0.62% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
40.1% of MTUM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 28.4% of VYM's money is in holdings MTUM also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
50 positions in common, counted across the 126 positions we hold weights for in MTUM and 557 in VYM, against full books of 130 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 478 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for MTUM (68.6% of the fund), and 70 for MTUM that do not appear in VYM (58.6%).
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 MTUM | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 3.40% | 2.51% | 0.89% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 3.61% | 1.86% | 1.75% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 2.64% | 2.63% | 0.01% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 2.14% | 1.50% | 0.64% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 2.10% | 1.52% | 0.58% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 1.92% | 1.38% | 0.54% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 1.88% | 1.31% | 0.57% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 1.48% | 1.48% | 0.00% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc/The | 1.12% | 1.13% | 0.01% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 1.20% | 1.02% | 0.18% |
40.1% of MTUM 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, MTUM or VYM?
MTUM has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MTUM or VYM?
Over the past year MTUM returned +24.87% vs +13.77% for VYM, so MTUM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), MTUM annualized +15.08% vs +9.46% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MTUM or VYM?
MTUM has been the more volatile fund at 16.7% annualized versus 13.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: MTUM -34.1% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both MTUM and VYM?
MTUM 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 MTUM and VYM?
40.1% of MTUM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 28.4% of VYM's is in holdings MTUM also owns. They hold 50 positions in common, counted across the 126 positions we hold weights for in MTUM and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, MTUM or VYM?
MTUM yields 0.62% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MTUM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MTUM 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 34.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.