SBND vs VYM
Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SBND or VYM?
Short Term Bond against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | SBND | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $204M | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.65% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 3,454 | 610 |
| YTD Return | +0.13% | +15.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.94% | +19.62%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.03% | +19.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.27% | +11.48%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.0%Best | 13.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -10.8%Best | -15.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,188 | $17,218Best |
| Fund Family | Columbia Threadneedle Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 21, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 21, 2021 to Nov 13, 2026 (5.1 years).
SBND 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 5.1 years both funds cover.
SBND vs VYM Performance
Columbia Short Duration Bond ETF (SBND) is an ETF from Columbia Threadneedle Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SBND returned +0.94% while VYM returned +19.62%. Year to date, SBND is up 0.13% versus a gain of 15.95% for VYM.
Over three years, SBND compounded at +5.03% per year against +19.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +2.27% and +11.48% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.8% compared with 4.0% for SBND. 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 -10.8% for SBND 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SBND charges 0.25% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $4 annually, a gap of $21 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SBND currently yields 4.65% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 911 holdings in SBND and 602 in VYM, totalling 57.3% and 100.0% of the two funds. That is not enough of SBND to divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 60 days apart, SBND as of Oct 30, 2026 and VYM as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 911 positions we hold weights for in SBND and 602 in VYM, against full books of 3,454 and 610.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SBND | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADTThe Adt Corporation | 0.04% | 0.02% | 0.02% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SBND 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, SBND or VYM?
SBND has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $21 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SBND or VYM?
Over the past year SBND returned +0.94% vs +19.62% 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, SBND or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.8% annualized versus 4.0% for SBND. Worst drawdown: SBND -10.8% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both SBND and VYM?
SBND and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, SBND or VYM?
SBND yields 4.65% while VYM yields 2.23%, so SBND currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SBND?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.