RSDE vs VYM
FT Vest US Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - December vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, RSDE or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90.
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 | RSDE | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $31M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 10 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +8.30% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.65% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.30% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.2%Best | 10.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -10.8%Best | -14.5% |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $11,779 | $12,876Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 20, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 23, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.7 years).
RSDE 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 1.7 years both funds cover.
RSDE vs VYM Performance
FT Vest US Equity Equal Weight Buffer ETF - December (RSDE) 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 RSDE returned +10.65% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, RSDE is up 8.30% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.0% compared with 6.2% for RSDE. 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 -10.8% for RSDE and -14.5% 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RSDE charges 0.85% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $4 annually, a gap of $81 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RSDE currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RSDE 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, RSDE or VYM?
RSDE has an expense ratio of 0.85% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $81 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RSDE or VYM?
Over the past year RSDE returned +10.65% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), RSDE annualized +10.11% vs +16.03% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RSDE or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 10.0% annualized versus 6.2% for RSDE. Worst drawdown: RSDE -10.8% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both RSDE and VYM?
RSDE and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, RSDE or VYM?
RSDE yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than RSDE?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.