QSML vs VYM
WisdomTree US SmallCap Quality Growth Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, QSML or VYM?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. QSML led over 1Y, VYM over the full window. QSML is less concentrated, with 6.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | QSML | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $13M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.52% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 391 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +14.94%Best | +12.29% |
| 1Y Return | +17.51%Best | +16.61% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.42% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.12% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.9% | 10.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -28.3% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.6 years | $13,392 | $15,071Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 6.7%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | WisdomTree Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 25, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 25, 2024 to Sep 17, 2026 (2.6 years).
QSML 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 2.6 years both funds cover.
QSML vs VYM Performance
WisdomTree US SmallCap Quality Growth Fund (QSML) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QSML returned +17.51% while VYM returned +16.61%. Year to date, QSML is up 14.94% versus a gain of 12.29% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QSML has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.9% compared with 10.4% 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 -28.3% for QSML 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QSML charges 0.38% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $4 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QSML currently yields 0.52% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
15.7% of QSML's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.6% of VYM's money is in holdings QSML also owns.
QSML and VYM share little of their money.
36 positions in common, counted across the 375 positions we hold weights for in QSML and 557 in VYM, against full books of 391 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 492 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for QSML (96.5% of the fund), and 326 for QSML that do not appear in VYM (79.5%).
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 QSML | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VCTRVictory Receivables Corp | 0.68% | 0.02% | 0.66% |
| IBPInstalled Building Products | 0.62% | 0.02% | 0.60% |
| HRBH&R Block, Inc. | 0.61% | 0.02% | 0.59% |
| MKTXMarketaxess Holdings Inc?.? | 0.61% | 0.02% | 0.59% |
| RLIRli Corp | 0.55% | 0.02% | 0.53% |
| SIGISelective Insurance Group Inc | 0.54% | 0.02% | 0.52% |
| RYANRyan Specialty Group Holdings Inc | 0.53% | 0.02% | 0.51% |
| MCYMercury General Corp | 0.53% | 0.01% | 0.52% |
| CAKECheesecake Factory Inc/the | 0.51% | 0.02% | 0.49% |
| SLMSlm Corp | 0.50% | 0.02% | 0.48% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QSML 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, QSML or VYM?
QSML has an expense ratio of 0.38% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QSML or VYM?
Over the past year QSML returned +17.51% vs +16.61% for VYM, so QSML leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QSML or VYM?
QSML has been the more volatile fund at 17.9% annualized versus 10.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: QSML -28.3% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both QSML and VYM?
QSML and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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 QSML and VYM?
15.7% of QSML's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.6% of VYM's is in holdings QSML also owns. They hold 36 positions in common, counted across the 375 positions we hold weights for in QSML and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, QSML or VYM?
QSML yields 0.52% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than QSML?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. QSML led over 1Y, VYM over the full window. QSML is less concentrated, with 6.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.