POWR vs VYM
iShares US Power Infrastructure ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, POWR or VYM?
Each has led over a different period.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. POWR led over 5Y, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 48.3%.
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 | POWR | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $446M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.98% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 81 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +7.61% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.12% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.46% | +18.12%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.78%Best | +12.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.7% | 13.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -72.1% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,922Best | $17,758 |
| Top 10 Weight | 48.3% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 31, 2012 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 2, 2012 to Sep 11, 2026 (14.6 years).
POWR 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 14.6 years both funds cover.
POWR vs VYM Performance
iShares US Power Infrastructure ETF (POWR) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year POWR returned +9.12% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, POWR is up 7.61% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, POWR compounded at +4.46% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +14.78% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.17% annualized vs +1.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
POWR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.7% compared with 13.0% 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 -72.1% for POWR 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
POWR charges 0.39% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $4 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, POWR currently yields 5.98% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
60.4% of POWR's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.8% of VYM's money is in holdings POWR also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
37 positions in common, counted across the 68 positions we hold weights for in POWR and 603 in VYM, against full books of 81 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 531 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for POWR (91.6% of the fund), and 28 for POWR that do not appear in VYM (36.1%).
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 POWR | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETNEaton Corp. Plc | 7.06% | 0.69% | 6.37% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc. | 5.98% | 0.76% | 5.22% |
| SOSouthern Co. | 4.05% | 0.45% | 3.60% |
| EQTEqt Corp | 4.13% | 0.13% | 4.00% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp. | 3.71% | 0.41% | 3.30% |
| HUBBHubbell Inc. Class B | 3.49% | 0.11% | 3.38% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co. Inc. | 2.66% | 0.31% | 2.35% |
| CHKChesapeake Energy Corp | 2.80% | 0.09% | 2.71% |
| DDominion Energy Inc. | 2.32% | 0.25% | 2.07% |
| ETREntergy Corp. | 1.89% | 0.22% | 1.67% |
60.4% of POWR 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, POWR or VYM?
POWR has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, POWR or VYM?
Over the past year POWR returned +9.12% vs +17.57% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), POWR annualized +1.82% vs +10.17% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, POWR or VYM?
POWR has been the more volatile fund at 22.7% annualized versus 13.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: POWR -72.1% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both POWR and VYM?
POWR and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 POWR and VYM?
60.4% of POWR's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.8% of VYM's is in holdings POWR also owns. They hold 37 positions in common, counted across the 68 positions we hold weights for in POWR and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, POWR or VYM?
POWR yields 5.98% while VYM yields 2.22%, so POWR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than POWR?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. POWR led over 5Y, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 48.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.