PSET vs VYM
Principal Quality ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, PSET or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. PSET led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 32.5%.
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 | PSET | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $29M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.67% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 75 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +1.82% | +11.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.56% | +16.24%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.09% | +17.24%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.52% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1% | 14.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.8%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,370 | $17,514Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 32.5% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Principal Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 21, 2016 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 22, 2016 to Sep 16, 2026 (10.5 years).
PSET 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 10.5 years both funds cover.
PSET vs VYM Performance
Principal Quality ETF (PSET) is an ETF from Principal Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PSET returned +2.56% while VYM returned +16.24%. Year to date, PSET is up 1.82% versus a gain of 11.71% for VYM.
Over three years, PSET compounded at +12.09% per year against +17.24% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +7.52% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, PSET has the edge at +11.89% annualized vs +10.03%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PSET has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 14.0% 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 -34.8% for PSET 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 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PSET charges 0.15% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $4 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PSET currently yields 0.67% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
22.7% of PSET's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 11.1% of VYM's money is in holdings PSET also owns.
PSET and VYM share little of their money.
20 positions in common, counted across the 73 positions we hold weights for in PSET and 557 in VYM, against full books of 75 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 508 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for PSET (86.0% of the fund), and 50 for PSET that do not appear in VYM (74.0%).
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 PSET | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.22% | 7.35% | 6.13% |
| ETNEaton Corp Plc | 1.41% | 0.65% | 0.76% |
| NTAPNetapp Inc | 1.90% | 0.14% | 1.76% |
| SLBSchlumberger Nv. | 1.43% | 0.30% | 1.13% |
| MMCMarsh & Mclennan Cos Inc Common Stock Usd 1 | 1.19% | 0.37% | 0.82% |
| NTRSNorthern Trust Corp. | 1.40% | 0.14% | 1.26% |
| CMICummins Inc. | 1.18% | 0.36% | 0.82% |
| GRMNGarminltd. | 1.25% | 0.20% | 1.05% |
| NDAQNasdaq Inc. | 1.19% | 0.17% | 1.02% |
| CMCSAComcast Corp-class A Cmcsa | 0.99% | 0.34% | 0.65% |
22.7% of PSET 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, PSET or VYM?
PSET has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PSET or VYM?
Over the past year PSET returned +2.56% vs +16.24% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), PSET annualized +11.89% vs +10.03% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PSET or VYM?
PSET has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 14.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: PSET -34.8% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both PSET and VYM?
PSET and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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 PSET and VYM?
22.7% of PSET's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 11.1% of VYM's is in holdings PSET also owns. They hold 20 positions in common, counted across the 73 positions we hold weights for in PSET and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, PSET or VYM?
PSET yields 0.67% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than PSET?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. PSET led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 32.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.