NJUL vs VYM
Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - July vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, NJUL or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 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 | NJUL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $272M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 12 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +6.63% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.24% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.45% | +17.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.70% | +12.30%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.5%Best | 13.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.4%Best | -15.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,624 | $17,861Best |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 30, 2020 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 1, 2020 to Sep 18, 2026 (6.2 years).
NJUL 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 6.2 years both funds cover.
NJUL vs VYM Performance
Innovator Growth-100 Power Buffer ETF - July (NJUL) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NJUL returned +9.24% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, NJUL is up 6.63% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, NJUL compounded at +14.45% per year against +17.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +10.70% and +12.30% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +14.97% annualized vs +10.66%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.9% compared with 9.5% for NJUL. 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 -14.4% for NJUL and -15.8% 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 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NJUL charges 0.79% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $4 annually, a gap of $75 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NJUL currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NJUL 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, NJUL or VYM?
NJUL has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $75 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NJUL or VYM?
Over the past year NJUL returned +9.24% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), NJUL annualized +10.66% vs +14.97% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NJUL or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.9% annualized versus 9.5% for NJUL. Worst drawdown: NJUL -14.4% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both NJUL and VYM?
NJUL and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, 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, NJUL or VYM?
NJUL yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than NJUL?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.