NTRL vs VYM
First Trust Equity Market Neutral ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, NTRL or VYM?
Market Neutral Strategy against Large Cap Value.
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 | NTRL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $16M | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.88% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 24 | 608 |
| Volatility (annualized) | - | 11.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -25.2% | -9.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $8,467 | $13,036Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Market Neutral Strategy | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 4, 2020 | 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 699 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. NTRL has data through Nov 1, 2024 and VYM through Oct 1, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 25, 2023 to Nov 1, 2024 (1.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -25.2% for NTRL and -9.9% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NTRL charges 0.95% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $4 annually, a gap of $91 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NTRL currently yields 2.88% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 25.7% of VYM's money is in holdings NTRL also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for NTRL, our book for it lists positions totalling 185.9% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
VYM and NTRL share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 47 days apart, NTRL as of Sep 16, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
153 positions in common, counted across the 507 positions we hold weights for in NTRL and 557 in VYM, against full books of 24 and 608.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in NTRL | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.73% | 7.35% | 6.62% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 1.08% | 1.48% | 0.40% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.40% | 1.80% | 1.40% |
| MOAltria Group Inc. | 1.66% | 0.46% | 1.20% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 1.36% | 0.63% | 0.73% |
| VZVerizon Communications Inc Vz | 1.07% | 0.80% | 0.27% |
| MSCIM S C I Inc. | 1.55% | 0.16% | 1.39% |
| SWKSSkyworks Solutions Inc. | 1.66% | 0.04% | 1.62% |
| LOWLowes Cos., Inc. | 1.18% | 0.47% | 0.71% |
| KMTKennametal Inc | 1.63% | 0.01% | 1.62% |
25.7% of VYM is already inside NTRL.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, NTRL or VYM?
NTRL has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $91 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between NTRL and VYM?
At least 25.7% of VYM's money is in holdings NTRL also owns. Our book for NTRL is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 153 positions in common, counted across the 507 positions we hold weights for in NTRL and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, NTRL or VYM?
NTRL yields 2.88% while VYM yields 2.22%, so NTRL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than NTRL?
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.