SAA vs VYM
ProShares Ultra SmallCap600 vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SAA or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SAA led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VYM over 5Y.
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 | SAA | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $28M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.79% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 607 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +26.37%Best | +11.47% |
| 1Y Return | +28.21%Best | +15.94% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.72%Best | +18.03% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.81% | +12.35%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 41.1% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -88.1% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,056 | $17,901Best |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 23, 2007 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 25, 2007 to Sep 21, 2026 (19.7 years).
SAA 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 19.7 years both funds cover.
SAA vs VYM Performance
ProShares Ultra SmallCap600 (SAA) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SAA returned +28.21% while VYM returned +15.94%. Year to date, SAA is up 26.37% versus a gain of 11.47% for VYM.
Over three years, SAA compounded at +20.72% per year against +18.03% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +3.81% and +12.35% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, SAA has the edge at +8.34% annualized vs +6.78%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SAA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 41.1% compared with 14.6% 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 -88.1% for SAA 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SAA charges 0.95% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $4 annually, a gap of $91 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SAA currently yields 0.79% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.1% of VYM's money is in holdings SAA also owns.
Stated as a floor: for SAA, our book for it covers 74.0% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VYM and SAA share little of their money.
123 positions in common, counted across the 595 positions we hold weights for in SAA and 557 in VYM, against full books of 607 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SAA | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTCHMatch Group Inc | 0.40% | 0.04% | 0.36% |
| NEMNewmont Corp Common | 0.03% | 0.41% | 0.38% |
| JXNJackson Financial Inc USD | 0.39% | 0.03% | 0.36% |
| EMNEastman Chemical Co. | 0.35% | 0.03% | 0.32% |
| SMSm Energy Co | 0.35% | 0.03% | 0.32% |
| CAGConagra Brands Inc. | 0.32% | 0.03% | 0.29% |
| LWLambwestonholdings Inc. | 0.31% | 0.03% | 0.28% |
| LNCLincoln National Corp. | 0.30% | 0.03% | 0.27% |
| LKQLkq Corp. | 0.27% | 0.02% | 0.25% |
| MGYMagnolia Oil & Gas Corp | 0.26% | 0.02% | 0.24% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SAA 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, SAA or VYM?
SAA has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $91 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SAA or VYM?
Over the past year SAA returned +28.21% vs +15.94% for VYM, so SAA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), SAA annualized +8.34% vs +6.78% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SAA or VYM?
SAA has been the more volatile fund at 41.1% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SAA -88.1% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both SAA and VYM?
SAA and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 SAA and VYM?
At least 2.1% of VYM's money is in holdings SAA also owns. Our book for SAA is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 123 positions in common, counted across the 595 positions we hold weights for in SAA and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SAA or VYM?
SAA yields 0.79% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SAA?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SAA led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VYM over 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.