RBLD vs VYM
First Trust Alerian US NextGen Infrastructure ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, RBLD or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RBLD led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. RBLD is less concentrated, with 12.2% 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 | RBLD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $42M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 104 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +10.24% | +12.87%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.89% | +17.25%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.80%Best | +17.66% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.98% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6% | 13.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.1% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.1 years | $17,679Best | $17,002 |
| Top 10 Weight | 12.2%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 13, 2008 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 1, 2022 to Sep 15, 2026 (4.1 years).
RBLD 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 4.1 years both funds cover.
RBLD vs VYM Performance
First Trust Alerian US NextGen Infrastructure ETF (RBLD) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RBLD returned +12.89% while VYM returned +17.25%. Year to date, RBLD is up 10.24% versus a gain of 12.87% for VYM.
Over three years, RBLD compounded at +17.80% per year against +17.66% for VYM. Across the full 4-year window we track, RBLD has the edge at +14.91% annualized vs +13.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RBLD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 13.4% 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 -19.1% for RBLD 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RBLD charges 0.65% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $4 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RBLD currently yields 0.98% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
55.2% of RBLD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 13.4% of VYM's money is in holdings RBLD also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
55 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in RBLD and 557 in VYM, against full books of 104 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 473 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for RBLD (83.6% of the fund), and 43 for RBLD that do not appear in VYM (42.6%).
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 RBLD | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.88% | 1.50% | 0.62% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 1.09% | 0.70% | 0.39% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 0.98% | 0.74% | 0.24% |
| ETNEaton Corp Plc | 1.02% | 0.65% | 0.37% |
| SLBSchlumberger Nv. | 1.32% | 0.30% | 1.02% |
| MMM3M Company | 1.14% | 0.37% | 0.77% |
| EMREmerson Electric Co. | 1.14% | 0.34% | 0.80% |
| ITWIllinois Tool Works Inc. | 1.07% | 0.34% | 0.73% |
| NSCNorfolk Southern Corp | 1.09% | 0.31% | 0.78% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp | 0.99% | 0.40% | 0.59% |
55.2% of RBLD is already inside VYM.
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, RBLD or VYM?
RBLD has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RBLD or VYM?
Over the past year RBLD returned +12.89% vs +17.25% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), RBLD annualized +14.91% vs +13.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RBLD or VYM?
RBLD has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 13.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: RBLD -19.1% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both RBLD and VYM?
RBLD and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 RBLD and VYM?
55.2% of RBLD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 13.4% of VYM's is in holdings RBLD also owns. They hold 55 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in RBLD and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, RBLD or VYM?
RBLD yields 0.98% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than RBLD?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RBLD led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. RBLD is less concentrated, with 12.2% 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.