NBSM vs VYM
Neuberger Berman Small-Mid Cap ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, NBSM or VYM?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. NBSM is less concentrated, with 20.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | NBSM | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $116M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.36% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 80 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +11.38% | +13.75%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.44% | +19.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7% | 10.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -25.2% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.5 years | $11,206 | $14,590Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 20.1%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Neuberger Berman | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 20, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 22, 2024 to Sep 9, 2026 (2.5 years).
NBSM 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 2.5 years both funds cover.
NBSM vs VYM Performance
Neuberger Berman Small-Mid Cap ETF (NBSM) is an ETF from Neuberger Berman and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NBSM returned +10.44% while VYM returned +19.42%. Year to date, NBSM is up 11.38% versus a gain of 13.75% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NBSM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 10.2% 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 -25.2% for NBSM 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NBSM charges 0.65% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $4 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NBSM currently yields 0.36% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
27.7% of NBSM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.6% of VYM's money is in holdings NBSM also owns.
NBSM and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 50 days apart, NBSM as of Aug 19, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
20 positions in common, counted across the 78 positions we hold weights for in NBSM and 603 in VYM, against full books of 80 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 547 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for NBSM (96.7% of the fund), and 56 for NBSM that do not appear in VYM (68.4%).
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 NBSM | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UMBFUmb Financial Corp. | 2.07% | 0.04% | 2.03% |
| CBUCommunity Bank System Inc | 1.93% | 0.01% | 1.92% |
| UGIUgi Corp | 1.91% | 0.03% | 1.88% |
| ATRAptargroup Inc | 1.81% | 0.03% | 1.78% |
| JKHYJack Henry & Associates Inc | 1.74% | 0.04% | 1.70% |
| PBProsperity Bancshares Inc | 1.74% | 0.03% | 1.71% |
| AWRAmerican States Water Co | 1.73% | 0.01% | 1.72% |
| LNTAlliant Energy Finance Llc 144a | 1.45% | 0.08% | 1.37% |
| TXRHTexas Roadhouse Inc | 1.44% | 0.05% | 1.39% |
| WLYJohn Wiley & Sons Inc | 1.46% | 0.01% | 1.45% |
27.7% of NBSM 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, NBSM or VYM?
NBSM has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NBSM or VYM?
Over the past year NBSM returned +10.44% vs +19.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NBSM or VYM?
NBSM has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 10.2% for VYM. Worst drawdown: NBSM -25.2% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both NBSM and VYM?
NBSM and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 NBSM and VYM?
27.7% of NBSM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.6% of VYM's is in holdings NBSM also owns. They hold 20 positions in common, counted across the 78 positions we hold weights for in NBSM and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, NBSM or VYM?
NBSM yields 0.36% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than NBSM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. NBSM is less concentrated, with 20.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.