RKNG vs VYM
Defiance Retail Kings ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, RKNG or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.4%.
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 | RKNG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $5M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 64 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -8.42% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +17.57% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.12% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.17% |
| Top 10 Weight | 42.4% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Defiance ETFs, LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 21, 2026 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
RKNG 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
RKNG vs VYM Performance
Defiance Retail Kings ETF (RKNG) is an ETF from Defiance ETFs, LLC and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Year to date, RKNG is down 8.42% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RKNG charges 0.79% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $4 annually, a gap of $75 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RKNG currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
4.8% of RKNG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.5% of VYM's money is in holdings RKNG also owns.
RKNG and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, RKNG as of Sep 1, 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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in RKNG and 603 in VYM, against full books of 64 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 567 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for RKNG (96.9% of the fund), and 25 for RKNG that do not appear in VYM (79.0%).
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 RKNG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DELLDell Technologies Inc. | 4.79% | 0.54% | 4.25% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RKNG 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, RKNG or VYM?
RKNG has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $75 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between RKNG and VYM?
4.8% of RKNG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.5% of VYM's is in holdings RKNG also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in RKNG and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, RKNG or VYM?
RKNG yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than RKNG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.