RZG vs VYM
Invesco S&P Smallcap 600 Pure Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, RZG or VYM?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RZG led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. RZG is less concentrated, with 17.0% 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 | RZG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $127M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.46% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 129 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +18.59%Best | +13.08% |
| 1Y Return | +20.32%Best | +17.46% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.24% | +17.73%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.80% | +12.22%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.9% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -58.8%Tie | -58.8%Tie |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,642 | $17,797Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 17.0%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 1, 2006 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 14, 2026 (19.8 years).
RZG 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.
RZG vs VYM Performance
Invesco S&P Smallcap 600 Pure Growth ETF (RZG) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RZG returned +20.32% while VYM returned +17.46%. Year to date, RZG is up 18.59% versus a gain of 13.08% for VYM.
Over three years, RZG compounded at +17.24% per year against +17.73% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +4.80% and +12.22% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, RZG has the edge at +8.48% annualized vs +6.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RZG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.9% 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 -58.8% for RZG 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RZG charges 0.35% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $4 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RZG currently yields 0.46% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
5.5% of RZG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.1% of VYM's money is in holdings RZG also owns.
RZG and VYM share little of their money.
8 positions in common, counted across the 128 positions we hold weights for in RZG and 557 in VYM, against full books of 129 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 520 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for RZG (96.9% of the fund), and 115 for RZG that do not appear in VYM (91.3%).
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 RZG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| YOUClear Secure Inc -Class A | 1.27% | 0.02% | 1.25% |
| MCYMercury General Corp | 0.95% | 0.01% | 0.94% |
| VIRTVirtu Financial Inc Class A | 0.82% | 0.02% | 0.80% |
| AROCArchrock, Inc. | 0.59% | 0.02% | 0.57% |
| CALMCal-maine Foods Inc | 0.59% | 0.02% | 0.57% |
| SXTSensient Technologies Corp | 0.50% | 0.02% | 0.48% |
| STEPStepstone Group Lp | 0.42% | 0.01% | 0.41% |
| IBPInstalled Building Products | 0.35% | 0.02% | 0.33% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RZG 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, RZG or VYM?
RZG has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RZG or VYM?
Over the past year RZG returned +20.32% vs +17.46% for VYM, so RZG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), RZG annualized +8.48% vs +6.91% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RZG or VYM?
RZG has been the more volatile fund at 21.9% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: RZG -58.8% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both RZG and VYM?
RZG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 RZG and VYM?
5.5% of RZG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.1% of VYM's is in holdings RZG also owns. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 128 positions we hold weights for in RZG and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, RZG or VYM?
RZG yields 0.46% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than RZG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RZG led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. RZG is less concentrated, with 17.0% 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.