NUMG vs VYM
Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, NUMG or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 31.0%.
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 | NUMG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.31% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $355M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.01% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 44 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -4.29% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | -7.70% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.75% | +17.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -1.63% | +12.30%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.7% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.0% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,211 | $17,861Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 31.0% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 13, 2016 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 14, 2016 to Sep 18, 2026 (9.8 years).
NUMG 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 9.8 years both funds cover.
NUMG vs VYM Performance
Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF (NUMG) is an ETF from Nuveen and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NUMG returned -7.70% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, NUMG is down 4.29% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, NUMG compounded at +6.75% per year against +17.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -1.63% and +12.30% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.62% annualized vs +8.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NUMG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.7% compared with 14.4% 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 -39.0% for NUMG and -35.7% 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NUMG charges 0.31% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $31 vs $4 annually, a gap of $27 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NUMG currently yields 0.01% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
3.7% of NUMG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.3% of VYM's money is in holdings NUMG also owns.
NUMG and VYM share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 45 positions we hold weights for in NUMG and 557 in VYM, against full books of 44 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 526 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for NUMG (96.8% of the fund), and 41 for NUMG that do not appear in VYM (91.8%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NUMG 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, NUMG or VYM?
NUMG has an expense ratio of 0.31% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $27 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NUMG or VYM?
Over the past year NUMG returned -7.70% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), NUMG annualized +8.77% vs +9.62% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NUMG or VYM?
NUMG has been the more volatile fund at 19.7% annualized versus 14.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: NUMG -39.0% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both NUMG and VYM?
NUMG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 NUMG and VYM?
3.7% of NUMG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.3% of VYM's is in holdings NUMG also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 45 positions we hold weights for in NUMG and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, NUMG or VYM?
NUMG yields 0.01% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than NUMG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 31.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.