PLDR vs VYM
Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, PLDR 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 | PLDR | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $3M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.35% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 56 | 613 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% | 13.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -29.6% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,450 | $17,218Best |
| Fund Family | Putnam Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 25, 2021 | 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 101 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PLDR has data through Jun 9, 2026 and VYM through Sep 18, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 26, 2021 to Jun 9, 2026 (5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PLDR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% compared with 13.7% 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 -29.6% for PLDR and -15.8% 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PLDR charges 0.59% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $4 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PLDR currently yields 0.35% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 15.4% of VYM's money is in holdings PLDR also owns.
Stated as a floor: for PLDR, our book for it covers 92.9% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VYM and PLDR share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 154 days apart, PLDR as of Feb 27, 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.
13 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in PLDR and 557 in VYM, against full books of 56 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PLDR | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.58% | 7.35% | 3.77% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.77% | 1.80% | 0.03% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 1.76% | 1.66% | 0.10% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 1.75% | 1.34% | 0.41% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 1.65% | 0.74% | 0.91% |
| COFCapital One Financial Corp. | 1.40% | 0.53% | 0.87% |
| DISWalt Disney Co | 0.78% | 0.69% | 0.09% |
| KDPKeurig Dr Pepper Inc (kdp Us) | 1.21% | 0.16% | 1.05% |
| OTISOtis Worldwide | 1.19% | 0.11% | 1.08% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 0.54% | 0.73% | 0.19% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PLDR 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, PLDR or VYM?
PLDR has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, PLDR or VYM?
PLDR has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 13.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: PLDR -29.6% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both PLDR and VYM?
PLDR and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 PLDR and VYM?
At least 15.4% of VYM's money is in holdings PLDR also owns. Our book for PLDR is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 13 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in PLDR and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, PLDR or VYM?
PLDR yields 0.35% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than PLDR?
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.