ROBT vs VYM
First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ROBT or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ROBT is less concentrated, with 17.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | ROBT | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $788M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.02% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 244 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +10.28% | +14.33%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.63% | +20.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.18% | +18.43%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.65% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.6% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.5% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,329 | $17,750Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 17.9%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 21, 2018 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 22, 2018 to Sep 8, 2026 (8.5 years).
ROBT 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 8.5 years both funds cover.
ROBT vs VYM Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF (ROBT) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ROBT returned +12.63% while VYM returned +20.01%. Year to date, ROBT is up 10.28% versus a gain of 14.33% for VYM.
Over three years, ROBT compounded at +11.18% per year against +18.43% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +0.65% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.04% annualized vs +8.15%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ROBT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.6% compared with 15.1% 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 -44.5% for ROBT 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ROBT charges 0.65% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $4 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ROBT currently yields 0.02% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
8.2% of ROBT's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 15.2% of VYM's money is in holdings ROBT also owns.
VYM and ROBT share little of their money.
11 positions in common, counted across the 114 positions we hold weights for in ROBT and 602 in VYM, against full books of 244 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 558 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for ROBT (82.0% of the fund), and 61 for ROBT that do not appear in VYM (58.9%).
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 ROBT | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.70% | 7.29% | 6.59% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc | 1.46% | 1.93% | 0.47% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.46% | 2.54% | 2.08% |
| IBMIntl Business Machines Corp | 1.14% | 1.10% | 0.04% |
| GNTXGentex Corp | 1.44% | 0.02% | 1.42% |
| QCOMQualcomm | 0.47% | 0.81% | 0.34% |
| ROKRockwell Automation Inc|280 | 0.74% | 0.23% | 0.51% |
| MDTMedtronic Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.46% | 0.42% | 0.04% |
| NXPINxp Semiconductors N.V. Common Stock | 0.53% | 0.29% | 0.24% |
| EMREmerson Electric Co. | 0.45% | 0.33% | 0.12% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ROBT 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, ROBT or VYM?
ROBT has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ROBT or VYM?
Over the past year ROBT returned +12.63% vs +20.01% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), ROBT annualized +8.15% vs +10.04% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ROBT or VYM?
ROBT has been the more volatile fund at 23.6% annualized versus 15.1% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ROBT -44.5% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both ROBT and VYM?
ROBT and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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 ROBT and VYM?
15.2% of VYM's money is in holdings ROBT also owns. 15.2% of VYM's is in holdings ROBT also owns. They hold 11 positions in common, counted across the 114 positions we hold weights for in ROBT and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ROBT or VYM?
ROBT yields 0.02% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ROBT?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ROBT is less concentrated, with 17.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.