MULT vs VYM
Franklin Multisector Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MULT or VYM?
VYM has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | MULT | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $10M | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.92% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 408 | 610 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.1%Best | 10.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -2.7%Best | -6.7% |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $10,248 | $12,124Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 26, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 15 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. MULT has data through Oct 27, 2026 and VYM through Nov 11, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 28, 2025 to Oct 27, 2026 (1.2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.9% compared with 3.1% for MULT. 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 -2.7% for MULT and -6.7% 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MULT 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, MULT currently yields 4.92% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 21 holdings in MULT and 602 in VYM, totalling 42.3% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, MULT as of Oct 16, 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 21 positions we hold weights for in MULT and 602 in VYM, against full books of 408 and 610.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MULT 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, MULT or VYM?
MULT 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 is riskier, MULT or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 10.9% annualized versus 3.1% for MULT. Worst drawdown: MULT -2.7% vs VYM -6.7%.
Should I hold both MULT and VYM?
MULT 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, MULT or VYM?
MULT yields 4.92% while VYM yields 2.23%, so MULT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MULT?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.