PFI vs VYM
Invesco Dorsey Wright Financial Momentum ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, PFI or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend 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 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.1%.
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 | PFI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $59M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 50 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +7.22% | +14.33%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.10% | +20.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.42% | +18.43%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.87% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.4% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.3% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,684 | $17,750Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.1% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 12, 2006 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 8, 2026 (19.8 years).
PFI 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.
PFI vs VYM Performance
Invesco Dorsey Wright Financial Momentum ETF (PFI) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PFI returned +10.10% while VYM returned +20.01%. Year to date, PFI is up 7.22% versus a gain of 14.33% for VYM.
Over three years, PFI compounded at +15.42% per year against +18.43% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +4.87% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.97% annualized vs +5.10%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PFI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.4% compared with 14.5% 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 -60.3% for PFI 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PFI charges 0.60% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $4 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PFI currently yields 0.98% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
49.2% of PFI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 7.5% of VYM's money is in holdings PFI also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
17 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in PFI and 602 in VYM, against full books of 50 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 553 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for PFI (89.8% of the fund), and 21 for PFI that do not appear in VYM (50.8%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PFI | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 4.26% | 3.38% | 0.88% |
| MSMorgan Stanley | 3.57% | 0.97% | 2.60% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc. | 2.98% | 1.15% | 1.83% |
| VCTRVictory Receivables Corp | 3.96% | 0.01% | 3.95% |
| CCitigroup, Inc. | 2.91% | 0.94% | 1.97% |
| STTStt Un Equity | 3.47% | 0.19% | 3.28% |
| BKBank Of New York Mellon Corp/The Bk Us Equity | 3.19% | 0.41% | 2.78% |
| PFGPrincipal Financial Group Inc. | 3.22% | 0.10% | 3.12% |
| KEYKeycorp | 3.13% | 0.09% | 3.04% |
| BPOPPopular Inc | 2.90% | 0.04% | 2.86% |
49.2% of PFI is already inside VYM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, PFI or VYM?
PFI has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PFI or VYM?
Over the past year PFI returned +10.10% vs +20.01% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), PFI annualized +5.10% vs +6.97% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PFI or VYM?
PFI has been the more volatile fund at 18.4% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: PFI -60.3% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both PFI and VYM?
PFI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 PFI and VYM?
49.2% of PFI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 7.5% of VYM's is in holdings PFI also owns. They hold 17 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in PFI and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, PFI or VYM?
PFI yields 0.98% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than PFI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.