RIFR vs VYM
Russell Investments Global Infrastructure ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, RIFR or VYM?
VYM has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%.
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 | RIFR | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $44M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.88% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 69 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +8.37% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.07% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.12% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.9% | 8.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -6.8% | -6.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $11,640 | $13,102Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.8% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Russell Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 13, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 14, 2025 to Sep 11, 2026 (1.3 years).
RIFR 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 1.3 years both funds cover.
RIFR vs VYM Performance
Russell Investments Global Infrastructure ETF (RIFR) is an ETF from Russell Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RIFR returned +11.07% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, RIFR is up 8.37% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RIFR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.9% compared with 8.7% 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 -6.8% for RIFR and -6.7% 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RIFR charges 0.59% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $4 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RIFR currently yields 0.88% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
35.3% of RIFR's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 4.4% of VYM's money is in holdings RIFR also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 51 days apart, RIFR as of Aug 20, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
20 positions in common, counted across the 61 positions we hold weights for in RIFR and 603 in VYM, against full books of 69 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 548 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for RIFR (93.1% of the fund), and 3 for RIFR that do not appear in VYM (3.7%).
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 RIFR | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEENextera Energy Inc. | 4.98% | 0.76% | 4.22% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 4.97% | 0.67% | 4.30% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp. | 3.56% | 0.41% | 3.15% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 2.39% | 0.38% | 2.01% |
| TRGPTarga Resources Corp. | 2.38% | 0.24% | 2.14% |
| XELXcel Energy Inc. | 2.34% | 0.21% | 2.13% |
| OKEOneok Inc. | 2.31% | 0.23% | 2.08% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 2.02% | 0.25% | 1.77% |
| EVRGEvergy Inc. | 1.85% | 0.08% | 1.77% |
| NSCNorfolk Southern Corp. | 1.45% | 0.29% | 1.16% |
35.3% of RIFR 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, RIFR or VYM?
RIFR has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RIFR or VYM?
Over the past year RIFR returned +11.07% vs +17.57% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), RIFR annualized +12.39% vs +23.10% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RIFR or VYM?
RIFR has been the more volatile fund at 10.9% annualized versus 8.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: RIFR -6.8% vs VYM -6.7%.
Should I hold both RIFR and VYM?
RIFR and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 RIFR and VYM?
35.3% of RIFR's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 4.4% of VYM's is in holdings RIFR also owns. They hold 20 positions in common, counted across the 61 positions we hold weights for in RIFR and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, RIFR or VYM?
RIFR yields 0.88% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than RIFR?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.