PPH vs VYM
VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, PPH or VYM?
Each has led over a different period.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. PPH led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 72.5%.
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 | PPH | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.36% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $985M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.92% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 26 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +13.18% | +15.29%Best |
| 1Y Return | +32.25%Best | +22.23% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.91% | +18.81%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.69% | +12.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.2%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,617 | $17,734Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 72.5% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 20, 2011 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 3, 2026 (19.8 years).
PPH 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.
PPH vs VYM Performance
VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PPH returned +32.25% while VYM returned +22.23%. Year to date, PPH is up 13.18% versus a gain of 15.29% for VYM.
Over three years, PPH compounded at +14.91% per year against +18.81% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +10.69% and +12.14% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +7.02% annualized vs +6.32%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PPH has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% 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 -42.2% for PPH 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PPH charges 0.36% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $36 vs $4 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PPH currently yields 1.92% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
29.9% of PPH's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 6.9% of VYM's money is in holdings PPH also owns.
PPH and VYM share little of their money.
8 positions in common, counted across the 25 positions we hold weights for in PPH and 603 in VYM, against full books of 26 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 562 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for PPH (90.5% of the fund), and 9 for PPH 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 PPH | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 9.79% | 1.32% | 8.47% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 4.40% | 2.54% | 1.86% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 4.46% | 1.85% | 2.61% |
| BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 4.91% | 0.49% | 4.42% |
| PFEPfizer Inc | 4.81% | 0.57% | 4.24% |
| VTRSViatris Inc. | 1.21% | 0.08% | 1.13% |
| OGNOrganon & Co | 0.23% | 0.01% | 0.22% |
| PRGOPerrigo Company Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.08% | 0.01% | 0.07% |
29.9% of PPH 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, PPH or VYM?
PPH has an expense ratio of 0.36% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PPH or VYM?
Over the past year PPH returned +32.25% vs +22.23% for VYM, so PPH leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), PPH annualized +6.32% vs +7.02% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PPH or VYM?
PPH has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: PPH -42.2% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both PPH and VYM?
PPH 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 PPH and VYM?
29.9% of PPH's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 6.9% of VYM's is in holdings PPH also owns. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 25 positions we hold weights for in PPH and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, PPH or VYM?
PPH yields 1.92% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than PPH?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. PPH led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 72.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.