PSTP vs VYM
Innovator Power Buffer Step Up Strategy ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, PSTP or VYM?
Long-Short Strategy against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | PSTP | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.89% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $132M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 12 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +5.66% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.73% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.15% | +17.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.30% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.2%Best | 14.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -12.5%Best | -15.8% |
| $10,000 over 4.5 years | $14,598 | $16,760Best |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Long-Short Strategy | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 7, 2022 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 8, 2022 to Sep 18, 2026 (4.5 years).
PSTP 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 4.5 years both funds cover.
PSTP vs VYM Performance
Innovator Power Buffer Step Up Strategy ETF (PSTP) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PSTP returned +7.73% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, PSTP is up 5.66% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, PSTP compounded at +11.15% per year against +17.22% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.0% compared with 8.2% for PSTP. 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 -12.5% for PSTP 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 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PSTP charges 0.89% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $89 vs $4 annually, a gap of $85 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PSTP currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PSTP 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, PSTP or VYM?
PSTP has an expense ratio of 0.89% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $85 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PSTP or VYM?
Over the past year PSTP returned +7.73% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PSTP or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 14.0% annualized versus 8.2% for PSTP. Worst drawdown: PSTP -12.5% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both PSTP and VYM?
PSTP 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, PSTP or VYM?
PSTP yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than PSTP?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.