PBE vs VYM
Invesco Biotechnology and Genome ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, PBE or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. PBE led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VYM over 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%.
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 | PBE | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.58% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $477M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.60% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 33 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +17.80%Best | +11.47% |
| 1Y Return | +38.55%Best | +15.94% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.52%Best | +18.03% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.91% | +12.35%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.4% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.7%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,708 | $17,901Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 46.5% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 23, 2005 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 21, 2026 (19.8 years).
PBE 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
PBE vs VYM Performance
Invesco Biotechnology and Genome ETF (PBE) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PBE returned +38.55% while VYM returned +15.94%. Year to date, PBE is up 17.80% versus a gain of 11.47% for VYM.
Over three years, PBE compounded at +19.52% per year against +18.03% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +4.91% and +12.35% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, PBE has the edge at +8.63% annualized vs +6.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PBE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.4% 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 -45.7% for PBE 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PBE charges 0.58% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $58 vs $4 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PBE currently yields 1.60% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
10.0% of PBE's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.4% of VYM's money is in holdings PBE also owns.
PBE and VYM share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in PBE and 557 in VYM, against full books of 33 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 526 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for PBE (95.6% of the fund), and 27 for PBE that do not appear in VYM (82.3%).
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 PBE 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, PBE or VYM?
PBE has an expense ratio of 0.58% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PBE or VYM?
Over the past year PBE returned +38.55% vs +15.94% for VYM, so PBE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), PBE annualized +8.63% vs +6.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PBE or VYM?
PBE has been the more volatile fund at 21.4% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: PBE -45.7% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both PBE and VYM?
PBE and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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 PBE and VYM?
10.0% of PBE's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.4% of VYM's is in holdings PBE also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in PBE and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, PBE or VYM?
PBE yields 1.60% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than PBE?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. PBE led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VYM over 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.