RFFC vs VYM
ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, RFFC or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RFFC led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.0%.
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 | RFFC | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.48% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $32M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.61% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 58 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +14.05%Best | +10.23% |
| 1Y Return | +20.49%Best | +14.28% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.49%Best | +17.50% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.32%Best | +11.60% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1% | 14.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -36.5% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,877Best | $17,311 |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.0% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | ALPS Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | 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 23, 2026 (10.3 years).
RFFC 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.
RFFC vs VYM Performance
ALPS Active Equity Opportunity ETF (RFFC) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RFFC returned +20.49% while VYM returned +14.28%. Year to date, RFFC is up 14.05% versus a gain of 10.23% for VYM.
Over three years, RFFC compounded at +22.49% per year against +17.50% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +12.32% and +11.60% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, RFFC has the edge at +12.04% annualized vs +9.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RFFC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% 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 -36.5% for RFFC 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RFFC charges 0.48% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $48 vs $4 annually, a gap of $44 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RFFC currently yields 0.61% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
30.9% of RFFC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 20.8% of VYM's money is in holdings RFFC also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
22 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in RFFC and 557 in VYM, against full books of 58 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 507 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for RFFC (77.4% of the fund), and 33 for RFFC that do not appear in VYM (61.2%).
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 RFFC | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 3.91% | 2.51% | 1.40% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 2.50% | 3.82% | 1.32% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 2.44% | 1.50% | 0.94% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc/The | 2.30% | 1.13% | 1.17% |
| RTX:MXUnited Technologies Corp. | 2.12% | 1.18% | 0.94% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 1.26% | 1.52% | 0.26% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 2.03% | 0.60% | 1.43% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.97% | 1.31% | 0.34% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 1.00% | 1.07% | 0.07% |
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.07% | 0.90% | 0.17% |
30.9% of RFFC 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, RFFC or VYM?
RFFC has an expense ratio of 0.48% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $44 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RFFC or VYM?
Over the past year RFFC returned +20.49% vs +14.28% for VYM, so RFFC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), RFFC annualized +12.04% vs +9.69% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RFFC or VYM?
RFFC has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 14.2% for VYM. Worst drawdown: RFFC -36.5% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both RFFC and VYM?
RFFC and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, 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 RFFC and VYM?
30.9% of RFFC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 20.8% of VYM's is in holdings RFFC also owns. They hold 22 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in RFFC and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, RFFC or VYM?
RFFC yields 0.61% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than RFFC?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RFFC led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.