RVT vs VYM
Royce Small-Cap Trust Inc vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, RVT or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RVT led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. RVT is less concentrated, with 12.4% 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 | RVT | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.34% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.7B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.98% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 473 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +18.59%Best | +14.33% |
| 1Y Return | +22.87%Best | +20.01% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.07%Best | +18.43% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.54% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.0% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -79.1% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,064 | $17,750Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 12.4%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 19, 1986 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 8, 2026 (19.8 years).
RVT 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
RVT vs VYM Performance
Royce Small-Cap Trust Inc (RVT) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RVT returned +22.87% while VYM returned +20.01%. Year to date, RVT is up 18.59% versus a gain of 14.33% for VYM.
Over three years, RVT compounded at +21.07% per year against +18.43% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.54% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.97% annualized vs +1.42%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RVT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.0% compared with 14.5% 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 -79.1% for RVT and -58.8% 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RVT charges 1.34% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $134 vs $4 annually, a gap of $130 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RVT currently yields 6.98% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
19.6% of RVT's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.5% of VYM's money is in holdings RVT also owns.
RVT and VYM share little of their money.
81 positions in common, counted across the 424 positions we hold weights for in RVT and 602 in VYM, against full books of 473 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 493 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for RVT (95.8% of the fund), and 306 for RVT that do not appear in VYM (66.3%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in RVT | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| KWRQuaker Chemical Corp. | 1.08% | 0.01% | 1.07% |
| AGOAssured Guaranty Ltd. Common Stock | 1.06% | 0.01% | 1.05% |
| SEICSei Investments Co. | 0.88% | 0.04% | 0.84% |
| IPARInter Parfums Inc | 0.83% | 0.01% | 0.82% |
| RLIRli Corp | 0.68% | 0.02% | 0.66% |
| EXPOExponent Inc - Common | 0.67% | 0.01% | 0.66% |
| LCIILci Inds Com | 0.67% | 0.01% | 0.66% |
| AAPAdvance Auto Parts Inc. | 0.58% | 0.02% | 0.56% |
| NTBBank Of N.T.Butterfield & Son Limited (The) Ordinary Shares | 0.50% | 0.01% | 0.49% |
| KFYKorn Ferry | 0.47% | 0.01% | 0.46% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RVT 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, RVT or VYM?
RVT has an expense ratio of 1.34% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $130 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RVT or VYM?
Over the past year RVT returned +22.87% vs +20.01% for VYM, so RVT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), RVT annualized +1.42% vs +6.97% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RVT or VYM?
RVT has been the more volatile fund at 24.0% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: RVT -79.1% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both RVT and VYM?
RVT and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 RVT and VYM?
19.6% of RVT's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.5% of VYM's is in holdings RVT also owns. They hold 81 positions in common, counted across the 424 positions we hold weights for in RVT and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, RVT or VYM?
RVT yields 6.98% while VYM yields 2.24%, so RVT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than RVT?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RVT led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. RVT is less concentrated, with 12.4% 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.