RWJ vs VYM
Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 Revenue ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, RWJ or VYM?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RWJ led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. RWJ is less concentrated, with 15.6% 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 | RWJ | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.0B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 606 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +17.87%Best | +10.23% |
| 1Y Return | +20.33%Best | +14.28% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.49% | +17.50%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.30% | +11.60%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.9% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -56.3% | -53.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,599 | $17,311Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 15.6%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 19, 2008 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 22, 2008 to Sep 23, 2026 (18.6 years).
RWJ 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 18.6 years both funds cover.
RWJ vs VYM Performance
Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 Revenue ETF (RWJ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RWJ returned +20.33% while VYM returned +14.28%. Year to date, RWJ is up 17.87% versus a gain of 10.23% for VYM.
Over three years, RWJ compounded at +17.49% per year against +17.50% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +9.30% and +11.60% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, RWJ has the edge at +11.41% annualized vs +7.51%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RWJ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.9% compared with 14.8% 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 -56.3% for RWJ and -53.6% 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
RWJ charges 0.39% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $4 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RWJ currently yields 1.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
28.5% of RWJ's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.7% of VYM's money is in holdings RWJ also owns.
RWJ and VYM share little of their money.
122 positions in common, counted across the 571 positions we hold weights for in RWJ and 557 in VYM, against full books of 606 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 418 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for RWJ (95.4% of the fund), and 439 for RWJ that do not appear in VYM (69.3%).
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 RWJ | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MANManpowergroup Inc | 2.21% | 0.01% | 2.20% |
| LNCLincoln National Corp. | 1.46% | 0.03% | 1.43% |
| LKQLkq Corp. | 0.88% | 0.02% | 0.86% |
| CNXCConcentrix Corporation | 0.73% | 0.00% | 0.73% |
| CPBCampbell Soup Co. | 0.65% | 0.02% | 0.63% |
| NSPInsperity Inc | 0.62% | 0.01% | 0.61% |
| ABMAbm Industries Inc | 0.59% | 0.01% | 0.58% |
| EMNEastman Chemical Co. | 0.55% | 0.03% | 0.52% |
| LWLambwestonholdings Inc. | 0.51% | 0.03% | 0.48% |
| RHIRobert Half International Inc. | 0.49% | 0.02% | 0.47% |
28.5% of RWJ is already inside VYM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, RWJ or VYM?
RWJ has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RWJ or VYM?
Over the past year RWJ returned +20.33% vs +14.28% for VYM, so RWJ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), RWJ annualized +11.41% vs +7.51% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RWJ or VYM?
RWJ has been the more volatile fund at 24.9% annualized versus 14.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: RWJ -56.3% vs VYM -53.6%.
Should I hold both RWJ and VYM?
RWJ 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 RWJ and VYM?
28.5% of RWJ's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.7% of VYM's is in holdings RWJ also owns. They hold 122 positions in common, counted across the 571 positions we hold weights for in RWJ and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, RWJ or VYM?
RWJ yields 1.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than RWJ?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RWJ led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. RWJ is less concentrated, with 15.6% 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.