RDTY vs VYM
YieldMax Russell 2000 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, RDTY or VYM?
Option Writing against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RDTY led over the full window, VYM over 1Y.
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 | RDTY | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.73% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $31M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 43.58% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 4 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +15.91%Best | +11.35% |
| 1Y Return | +15.11% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.30% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.4% | 9.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -16.2% | -12.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $14,331Best | $12,693 |
| Fund Family | YieldMax ETF | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 5, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 6, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.5 years).
RDTY 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
RDTY vs VYM Performance
YieldMax Russell 2000 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (RDTY) is an ETF from YieldMax ETF and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RDTY returned +15.11% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, RDTY is up 15.91% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RDTY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.4% compared with 9.9% 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 -16.2% for RDTY and -12.0% 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RDTY charges 1.73% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $173 vs $4 annually, a gap of $169 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RDTY currently yields 43.58% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in RDTY and 557 in VYM, totalling 8.5% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in RDTY and 557 in VYM, against full books of 4 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RDTY 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, RDTY or VYM?
RDTY has an expense ratio of 1.73% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $169 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RDTY or VYM?
Over the past year RDTY returned +15.11% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), RDTY annualized +27.11% vs +17.23% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RDTY or VYM?
RDTY has been the more volatile fund at 15.4% annualized versus 9.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: RDTY -16.2% vs VYM -12.0%.
Should I hold both RDTY and VYM?
RDTY and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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, RDTY or VYM?
RDTY yields 43.58% while VYM yields 2.22%, so RDTY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than RDTY?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RDTY led over the full window, VYM over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.