RAYD vs VYM
Rayliant Quantitative Developed Market Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, RAYD or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RAYD led over the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.7%.
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 | RAYD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $57M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.82% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 117 | 613 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5% | 14.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -21.0% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 4 years | $15,814Best | $14,545 |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.7% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | The Advisors Inner Circle Fund | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 15, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 273 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. RAYD has data through Dec 19, 2025 and VYM through Sep 18, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 16, 2021 to Dec 19, 2025 (4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RAYD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 14.2% 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 -21.0% for RAYD 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RAYD charges 0.80% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $4 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RAYD currently yields 0.82% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
19.5% of RAYD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 6.8% of VYM's money is in holdings RAYD also owns.
RAYD and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 304 days apart, RAYD as of Sep 30, 2025 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
21 positions in common, counted across the 104 positions we hold weights for in RAYD and 557 in VYM, against full books of 117 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 508 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for RAYD (90.3% of the fund), and 38 for RAYD that do not appear in VYM (56.1%).
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 RAYD | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 1.77% | 1.21% | 0.56% |
| TBBAt&t Inc | 1.90% | 0.64% | 1.26% |
| VZVerizon Communic | 1.34% | 0.80% | 0.54% |
| MOAltria Group Inc | 1.65% | 0.46% | 1.19% |
| NFGNational Fuel Gas Co | 1.98% | 0.03% | 1.95% |
| BMYBristol-myers Squibb Co Bmy Un | 1.28% | 0.54% | 0.74% |
| PFEPfizer Inc | 1.03% | 0.58% | 0.45% |
| BKBank Of New York Mellon Corp | 1.14% | 0.44% | 0.70% |
| VTRSViatris Inc. | 1.35% | 0.08% | 1.27% |
| BWABorgWarner Inc | 1.29% | 0.05% | 1.24% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RAYD 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, RAYD or VYM?
RAYD has an expense ratio of 0.80% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, RAYD or VYM?
RAYD has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 14.2% for VYM. Worst drawdown: RAYD -21.0% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both RAYD and VYM?
RAYD and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 RAYD and VYM?
19.5% of RAYD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 6.8% of VYM's is in holdings RAYD also owns. They hold 21 positions in common, counted across the 104 positions we hold weights for in RAYD and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, RAYD or VYM?
RAYD yields 0.82% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than RAYD?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RAYD led over the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.