PYPY vs VYM
YieldMax PYPL Option Income Strategy ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, PYPY or VYM?
Option Writing 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 | PYPY | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.31% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $22M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 66.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 9 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -9.53% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | -22.04% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -1.29% | +18.12%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 31.0% | 10.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.6% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $9,618 | $17,095Best |
| Fund Family | YieldMax ETF | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 25, 2023 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 26, 2023 to Sep 11, 2026 (3 years).
PYPY 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 3 years both funds cover.
PYPY vs VYM Performance
YieldMax PYPL Option Income Strategy ETF (PYPY) is an ETF from YieldMax ETF and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PYPY returned -22.04% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, PYPY is down 9.53% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, PYPY compounded at -1.29% per year against +18.12% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PYPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 31.0% compared with 10.6% 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 -53.6% for PYPY and -14.5% 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 0.33. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PYPY charges 1.31% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $131 vs $4 annually, a gap of $127 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PYPY currently yields 66.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in PYPY and 603 in VYM, totalling 26.5% and 99.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, PYPY as of Sep 1, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in PYPY and 603 in VYM, against full books of 9 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PYPY 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, PYPY or VYM?
PYPY has an expense ratio of 1.31% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $127 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PYPY or VYM?
Over the past year PYPY returned -22.04% vs +17.57% 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, PYPY or VYM?
PYPY has been the more volatile fund at 31.0% annualized versus 10.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: PYPY -53.6% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both PYPY and VYM?
PYPY and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.33, 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, PYPY or VYM?
PYPY yields 66.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so PYPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than PYPY?
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.