RLY vs VYM
State Street Multi-Asset Real Return ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, RLY or VYM?
Tactical Allocation against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RLY led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 99.9%.
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 | RLY | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.93% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 12 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +18.52%Best | +11.35% |
| 1Y Return | +26.04%Best | +15.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.01% | +17.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.87% | +12.30%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.5%Best | 13.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -46.2% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,521 | $17,861Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 99.9% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Tactical Allocation | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 25, 2012 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 26, 2012 to Sep 18, 2026 (14.4 years).
RLY 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 14.4 years both funds cover.
RLY vs VYM Performance
State Street Multi-Asset Real Return ETF (RLY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RLY returned +26.04% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, RLY is up 18.52% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, RLY compounded at +14.01% per year against +17.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +11.87% and +12.30% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.82% annualized vs +3.50%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.1% compared with 12.5% for RLY. 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 -46.2% for RLY 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RLY charges 0.50% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $4 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RLY currently yields 2.93% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 12 holdings in RLY and 557 in VYM, totalling 100.0% 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 12 positions we hold weights for in RLY and 557 in VYM, against full books of 12 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 12 and 557 positions we hold weights for.
VYM holds 528 positions RLY does not, 97.1% of the fund.
Largest: AVGO 7.35%, JPM 3.82%, XOM 2.63%, JNJ 2.51%, CSCO 1.86%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RLY 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, RLY or VYM?
RLY has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RLY or VYM?
Over the past year RLY returned +26.04% vs +15.34% for VYM, so RLY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), RLY annualized +3.50% vs +9.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RLY or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.1% annualized versus 12.5% for RLY. Worst drawdown: RLY -46.2% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both RLY and VYM?
RLY and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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, RLY or VYM?
RLY yields 2.93% while VYM yields 2.22%, so RLY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than RLY?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RLY led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 99.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.