NFJ vs VYM
Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, NFJ or VYM?
Allocation/Balanced against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. NFJ led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y 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 | NFJ | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.96% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.5B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.39% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 182 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +23.75%Best | +10.23% |
| 1Y Return | +26.75%Best | +14.28% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.50%Best | +17.50% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.60% | +11.60%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.9% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -70.3% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,106 | $17,311Best |
| Fund Family | Virtus Investment Partners | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Allocation/Balanced | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 28, 2005 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 23, 2026 (19.9 years).
NFJ 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.
NFJ vs VYM Performance
Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund (NFJ) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NFJ returned +26.75% while VYM returned +14.28%. Year to date, NFJ is up 23.75% versus a gain of 10.23% for VYM.
Over three years, NFJ compounded at +19.50% per year against +17.50% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.60% and +11.60% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.76% annualized vs +0.06%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NFJ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.9% 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 -70.3% for NFJ 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NFJ charges 0.96% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $96 vs $4 annually, a gap of $92 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NFJ currently yields 7.39% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 24.1% of VYM's money is in holdings NFJ also owns.
Stated as a floor: for NFJ, our book for it covers 86.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VYM and NFJ share little of their money.
40 positions in common, counted across the 107 positions we hold weights for in NFJ and 557 in VYM, against full books of 182 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in NFJ | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 2.15% | 3.82% | 1.67% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.61% | 1.80% | 0.19% |
| DINOHF Sinclair Corp | 3.17% | 0.06% | 3.11% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.47% | 2.63% | 2.16% |
| HSYHershey Co. | 2.74% | 0.10% | 2.64% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc/The | 1.51% | 1.13% | 0.38% |
| MSMorgan Stanley | 1.53% | 0.96% | 0.57% |
| BACBank Of America Corp. | 0.81% | 1.66% | 0.85% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.81% | 1.48% | 0.67% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.75% | 1.52% | 0.77% |
24.1% of VYM is already inside NFJ.
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, NFJ or VYM?
NFJ has an expense ratio of 0.96% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $92 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NFJ or VYM?
Over the past year NFJ returned +26.75% vs +14.28% for VYM, so NFJ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), NFJ annualized +0.06% vs +6.76% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NFJ or VYM?
NFJ has been the more volatile fund at 17.9% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: NFJ -70.3% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both NFJ and VYM?
NFJ and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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 NFJ and VYM?
At least 24.1% of VYM's money is in holdings NFJ also owns. Our book for NFJ is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 40 positions in common, counted across the 107 positions we hold weights for in NFJ and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, NFJ or VYM?
NFJ yields 7.39% while VYM yields 2.22%, so NFJ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than NFJ?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. NFJ led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.