ROBO vs VYM
ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ROBO or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ROBO led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. ROBO is less concentrated, with 18.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | ROBO | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.0B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.36% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 80 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +13.44%Best | +10.23% |
| 1Y Return | +20.18%Best | +14.28% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.23% | +17.50%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.21% | +11.60%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.5% | 13.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.6% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,711 | $17,311Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 18.1%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Robo Global | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 22, 2013 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 22, 2013 to Sep 23, 2026 (12.9 years).
ROBO 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 12.9 years both funds cover.
ROBO vs VYM Performance
ROBO Global Robotics and Automation Index ETF (ROBO) is an ETF from Robo Global and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ROBO returned +20.18% while VYM returned +14.28%. Year to date, ROBO is up 13.44% versus a gain of 10.23% for VYM.
Over three years, ROBO compounded at +17.23% per year against +17.50% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +3.21% and +11.60% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, ROBO has the edge at +9.53% annualized vs +9.11%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ROBO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.5% compared with 13.5% 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 -43.6% for ROBO 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ROBO charges 0.95% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $4 annually, a gap of $91 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ROBO currently yields 0.36% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
5.5% of ROBO's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.4% of VYM's money is in holdings ROBO also owns.
ROBO and VYM share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 79 positions we hold weights for in ROBO and 557 in VYM, against full books of 80 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 524 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for ROBO (95.7% of the fund), and 30 for ROBO that do not appear in VYM (39.3%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ROBO 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, ROBO or VYM?
ROBO has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $91 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ROBO or VYM?
Over the past year ROBO returned +20.18% vs +14.28% for VYM, so ROBO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), ROBO annualized +9.53% vs +9.11% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ROBO or VYM?
ROBO has been the more volatile fund at 21.5% annualized versus 13.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ROBO -43.6% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both ROBO and VYM?
ROBO and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 ROBO and VYM?
5.5% of ROBO's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.4% of VYM's is in holdings ROBO also owns. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 79 positions we hold weights for in ROBO and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ROBO or VYM?
ROBO yields 0.36% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ROBO?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ROBO led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. ROBO is less concentrated, with 18.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.