MXI vs VYM
iShares Global Materials ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MXI or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MXI led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.7%.
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 | MXI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $431M | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.59% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 113 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +9.50%Best | +9.22% |
| 1Y Return | +17.06%Best | +12.81% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.25% | +18.21%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.80% | +11.39%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.1% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -68.7% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,558 | $17,149Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.7% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 12, 2006 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Oct 1, 2026 (19.9 years).
MXI 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 19.9 years both funds cover.
MXI vs VYM Performance
iShares Global Materials ETF (MXI) 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 MXI returned +17.06% while VYM returned +12.81%. Year to date, MXI is up 9.50% versus a gain of 9.22% for VYM.
Over three years, MXI compounded at +14.25% per year against +18.21% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +7.80% and +11.39% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.70% annualized vs +4.41%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MXI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.1% compared with 14.6% 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 -68.7% for MXI and -58.8% 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MXI charges 0.37% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $37 vs $4 annually, a gap of $33 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MXI currently yields 1.59% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
23.4% of MXI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.9% of VYM's money is in holdings MXI also owns.
MXI and VYM share little of their money.
17 positions in common, counted across the 92 positions we hold weights for in MXI and 557 in VYM, against full books of 113 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 512 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for MXI (94.4% of the fund), and 11 for MXI that do not appear in VYM (14.0%).
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 MXI | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 6.77% | 0.90% | 5.87% |
| NEMNewmont Corp Common | 4.25% | 0.41% | 3.84% |
| APDAir Products & Chemicals Inc. | 2.04% | 0.26% | 1.78% |
| CRH:LNCrh Plc - Common | 1.86% | 0.26% | 1.60% |
| NUENucor Corp. | 1.86% | 0.23% | 1.63% |
| PPGPpg Industries Inc. | 0.74% | 0.10% | 0.64% |
| IFFInternational Flavors & Fragrances Inc. | 0.67% | 0.08% | 0.59% |
| DOWDow Inc. | 0.66% | 0.09% | 0.57% |
| PKGPackaging Corp. Of America | 0.65% | 0.09% | 0.56% |
| CFCf Industries Holdings Inc. | 0.64% | 0.08% | 0.56% |
23.4% of MXI 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, MXI or VYM?
MXI has an expense ratio of 0.37% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $33 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MXI or VYM?
Over the past year MXI returned +17.06% vs +12.81% for VYM, so MXI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), MXI annualized +4.41% vs +6.70% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MXI or VYM?
MXI has been the more volatile fund at 22.1% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: MXI -68.7% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both MXI and VYM?
MXI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 MXI and VYM?
23.4% of MXI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.9% of VYM's is in holdings MXI also owns. They hold 17 positions in common, counted across the 92 positions we hold weights for in MXI and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, MXI or VYM?
MXI yields 1.59% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MXI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MXI led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 38.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.