RFDA vs VYM
ALPS Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, RFDA or VYM?
RFDA has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RFDA led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.6%.
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 | RFDA | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $82M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.85% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 79 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +15.53%Best | +12.29% |
| 1Y Return | +19.63%Best | +16.61% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.74%Best | +17.42% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.29%Best | +12.12% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.8%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,662Best | $17,718 |
| Top 10 Weight | 26.6% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | ALPS Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 6, 2016 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 7, 2016 to Sep 17, 2026 (10.3 years).
RFDA 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 10.3 years both funds cover.
RFDA vs VYM Performance
ALPS Dynamic US Dividend Advantage ETF (RFDA) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RFDA returned +19.63% while VYM returned +16.61%. Year to date, RFDA is up 15.53% versus a gain of 12.29% for VYM.
Over three years, RFDA compounded at +19.74% per year against +17.42% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +13.29% and +12.12% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, RFDA has the edge at +12.28% annualized vs +9.90%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RFDA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 14.1% 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 -34.8% for RFDA 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RFDA charges 0.52% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $52 vs $4 annually, a gap of $48 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RFDA currently yields 1.85% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
73.0% of RFDA's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 33.3% of VYM's money is in holdings RFDA also owns.
Most of RFDA is already inside VYM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
57 positions in common, counted across the 77 positions we hold weights for in RFDA and 557 in VYM, against full books of 79 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 471 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for RFDA (63.8% of the fund), and 17 for RFDA that do not appear in VYM (22.0%).
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 RFDA | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 3.08% | 3.82% | 0.74% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 3.18% | 2.51% | 0.67% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.96% | 2.63% | 0.67% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 2.80% | 1.52% | 1.28% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 2.28% | 1.31% | 0.97% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 2.56% | 0.89% | 1.67% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 2.49% | 0.60% | 1.89% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 1.56% | 1.38% | 0.18% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 1.41% | 1.50% | 0.09% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 2.37% | 0.34% | 2.03% |
73.0% of RFDA 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, RFDA or VYM?
RFDA has an expense ratio of 0.52% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $48 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RFDA or VYM?
Over the past year RFDA returned +19.63% vs +16.61% for VYM, so RFDA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), RFDA annualized +12.28% vs +9.90% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RFDA or VYM?
RFDA has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 14.1% for VYM. Worst drawdown: RFDA -34.8% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both RFDA and VYM?
RFDA and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between RFDA and VYM?
73.0% of RFDA's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 33.3% of VYM's is in holdings RFDA also owns. They hold 57 positions in common, counted across the 77 positions we hold weights for in RFDA and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, RFDA or VYM?
RFDA yields 1.85% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than RFDA?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RFDA led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.