QQH vs VYM
HCM Defender 100 Index ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, QQH or VYM?
Allocation/Balanced against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. QQH led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 64.5%.
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 | QQH | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.98% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $742M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.19% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 100 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +7.89% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.40% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.19%Best | +17.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.89% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.6% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -41.9% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,025 | $17,750Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 64.5% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Howard Capital Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Allocation/Balanced | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 9, 2019 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 10, 2019 to Sep 10, 2026 (6.9 years).
QQH 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 6.9 years both funds cover.
QQH vs VYM Performance
HCM Defender 100 Index ETF (QQH) is an ETF from Howard Capital Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QQH returned +14.40% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, QQH is up 7.89% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, QQH compounded at +20.19% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +9.89% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, QQH has the edge at +18.97% annualized vs +11.95%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQH has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.6% compared with 15.4% 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 -41.9% for QQH 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 0.52. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQH charges 0.98% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $98 vs $4 annually, a gap of $94 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQH currently yields 0.19% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
13.3% of QQH's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 20.2% of VYM's money is in holdings QQH also owns.
VYM and QQH share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 64 days apart, QQH as of Sep 2, 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.
29 positions in common, counted across the 97 positions we hold weights for in QQH and 603 in VYM, against full books of 100 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 539 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for QQH (77.3% of the fund), and 65 for QQH that do not appear in VYM (86.3%).
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 QQH | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.32% | 7.29% | 3.97% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.44% | 1.93% | 0.49% |
| TXNTexas Instruments, Inc | 0.63% | 1.13% | 0.50% |
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.76% | 0.99% | 0.23% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.79% | 0.75% | 0.04% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 0.64% | 0.77% | 0.13% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 0.49% | 0.81% | 0.32% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 0.48% | 0.80% | 0.32% |
| GILDGilead Sciences Inc | 0.61% | 0.65% | 0.04% |
| SBUXStarbucks Corp | 0.39% | 0.48% | 0.09% |
20.2% of VYM is already inside QQH.
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, QQH or VYM?
QQH has an expense ratio of 0.98% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $94 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQH or VYM?
Over the past year QQH returned +14.40% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), QQH annualized +18.97% vs +11.95% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQH or VYM?
QQH has been the more volatile fund at 22.6% annualized versus 15.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: QQH -41.9% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both QQH and VYM?
QQH and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.52, 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 QQH and VYM?
20.2% of VYM's money is in holdings QQH also owns. 20.2% of VYM's is in holdings QQH also owns. They hold 29 positions in common, counted across the 97 positions we hold weights for in QQH and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQH or VYM?
QQH yields 0.19% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than QQH?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. QQH led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 64.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.