SAGP vs VYM
Strategas Global Policy Opportunities ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SAGP or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. SAGP is less concentrated, with 22.1% 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 | SAGP | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $80M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.11% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 106 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +5.29% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.44% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.93% | +17.99%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5% | 13.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -22.9% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.6 years | $15,111 | $16,684Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.1%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Strategas Asset Management, LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 25, 2022 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 25, 2022 to Sep 10, 2026 (4.6 years).
SAGP 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 4.6 years both funds cover.
SAGP vs VYM Performance
Strategas Global Policy Opportunities ETF (SAGP) is an ETF from Strategas Asset Management, LLC and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SAGP returned +9.44% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, SAGP is up 5.29% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, SAGP compounded at +14.93% per year against +17.99% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SAGP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 13.7% 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 -22.9% for SAGP 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SAGP charges 0.65% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $4 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SAGP currently yields 3.11% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
22.8% of SAGP's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.6% of VYM's money is in holdings SAGP also owns.
SAGP and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 50 days apart, SAGP as of Aug 19, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
23 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in SAGP and 603 in VYM, against full books of 106 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 545 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SAGP (94.9% of the fund), and 53 for SAGP that do not appear in VYM (37.9%).
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 SAGP | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GILDGilead Sciences Inc | 2.12% | 0.65% | 1.47% |
| LMTLockheed Martin Corp | 1.96% | 0.43% | 1.53% |
| GDGeneral Dynamics Corp. | 2.01% | 0.38% | 1.63% |
| SWKStanley Black & Decker Inc. | 2.25% | 0.06% | 2.19% |
| MOAltria Group Inc. | 1.58% | 0.50% | 1.08% |
| AOSAo Smith Corp. | 1.95% | 0.03% | 1.92% |
| CFCf Industries Holdings Inc. | 1.90% | 0.07% | 1.83% |
| HIIHuntington Ingalls Industries Inc. | 1.88% | 0.05% | 1.83% |
| FOXAFox Corp. Class A | 1.74% | 0.04% | 1.70% |
| VRSNVerisign Inc. | 1.65% | 0.09% | 1.56% |
22.8% of SAGP 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, SAGP or VYM?
SAGP has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SAGP or VYM?
Over the past year SAGP returned +9.44% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SAGP or VYM?
SAGP has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 13.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SAGP -22.9% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both SAGP and VYM?
SAGP and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 SAGP and VYM?
22.8% of SAGP's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.6% of VYM's is in holdings SAGP also owns. They hold 23 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in SAGP and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SAGP or VYM?
SAGP yields 3.11% while VYM yields 2.22%, so SAGP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SAGP?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. SAGP is less concentrated, with 22.1% 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.