SAEF vs VYM
Schwab Ariel Opportunities ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SAEF or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SAEF led over 1Y, VYM over the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.6%.
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 | SAEF | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $19M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.33% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 59 | 613 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.6% | 13.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -28.1% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $9,883 | $16,680Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.6% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 15, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 62 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. SAEF has data through Jul 17, 2026 and VYM through Sep 17, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2021 to Jul 17, 2026 (4.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SAEF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.6% compared with 13.9% 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 -28.1% for SAEF and -15.8% 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SAEF charges 0.59% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $4 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SAEF currently yields 0.33% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
23.1% of SAEF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.4% of VYM's money is in holdings SAEF also owns.
SAEF and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, SAEF as of Mar 31, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
19 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in SAEF and 557 in VYM, against full books of 59 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 509 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SAEF (95.6% of the fund), and 36 for SAEF that do not appear in VYM (71.0%).
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 SAEF | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NTRSNorthern Trust Corp. | 2.75% | 0.14% | 2.61% |
| FAFFirst American Corporation | 2.70% | 0.03% | 2.67% |
| CGCarlyle Group Inc. | 1.99% | 0.05% | 1.94% |
| LAZLazard Inc. (Class A) | 1.69% | 0.02% | 1.67% |
| GNTXGentex Corp | 1.59% | 0.02% | 1.57% |
| PGRProgressive Corporation | 1.00% | 0.50% | 0.50% |
| ADTADT INC | 1.35% | 0.02% | 1.33% |
| AFLAflac Inc. | 0.98% | 0.24% | 0.74% |
| KMTKennametal Inc | 1.16% | 0.01% | 1.15% |
| SNASnap-On Inc. | 1.06% | 0.08% | 0.98% |
23.1% of SAEF 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, SAEF or VYM?
SAEF has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, SAEF or VYM?
SAEF has been the more volatile fund at 24.6% annualized versus 13.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SAEF -28.1% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both SAEF and VYM?
SAEF and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 SAEF and VYM?
23.1% of SAEF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.4% of VYM's is in holdings SAEF also owns. They hold 19 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in SAEF and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SAEF or VYM?
SAEF yields 0.33% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SAEF?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SAEF led over 1Y, VYM over the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.