PCIG vs VYM
Polen Capital International Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, PCIG or VYM?
Large Cap Growth 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 | PCIG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $26M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.15% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 34 | 613 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5% | 10.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.4% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.4 years | $9,353 | $15,096Best |
| Fund Family | iMGP Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 1, 2024 | 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 35 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PCIG has data through Aug 14, 2026 and VYM through Sep 18, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 15, 2024 to Aug 14, 2026 (2.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PCIG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 10.4% 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 -23.4% for PCIG and -14.5% 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 0.58. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PCIG charges 0.85% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $4 annually, a gap of $81 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PCIG currently yields 0.15% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 30 holdings in PCIG and 557 in VYM, totalling 93.8% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in PCIG and 557 in VYM, against full books of 34 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PCIG 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, PCIG or VYM?
PCIG has an expense ratio of 0.85% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $81 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, PCIG or VYM?
PCIG has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 10.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: PCIG -23.4% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both PCIG and VYM?
PCIG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.58, 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, PCIG or VYM?
PCIG yields 0.15% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than PCIG?
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.