SEA vs VYM
US Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SEA or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SEA led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.5%.
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 | SEA | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $17M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.85% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 31 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +39.46%Best | +13.15% |
| 1Y Return | +44.26%Best | +17.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.00%Best | +17.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.6% | 13.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.5% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.6 years | $16,527Best | $16,520 |
| Top 10 Weight | 49.5% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | ETF Series Solutions | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 19, 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 20, 2022 to Sep 10, 2026 (4.6 years).
SEA 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.
SEA vs VYM Performance
US Global Sea to Sky Cargo ETF (SEA) is an ETF from ETF Series Solutions and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SEA returned +44.26% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, SEA is up 39.46% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, SEA compounded at +23.00% per year against +17.99% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SEA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.6% 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 -39.5% for SEA 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 0.55. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SEA charges 0.60% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $4 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SEA currently yields 4.85% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
8.6% of SEA's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.6% of VYM's money is in holdings SEA also owns.
SEA and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, SEA as of Sep 1, 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.
3 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in SEA and 603 in VYM, against full books of 31 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 566 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SEA (96.9% of the fund), and 7 for SEA that do not appear in VYM (23.4%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SEA 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, SEA or VYM?
SEA has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SEA or VYM?
Over the past year SEA returned +44.26% vs +17.82% for VYM, so SEA leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SEA or VYM?
SEA has been the more volatile fund at 24.6% annualized versus 13.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SEA -39.5% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both SEA and VYM?
SEA and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.55, 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 SEA and VYM?
8.6% of SEA's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.6% of VYM's is in holdings SEA also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in SEA and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SEA or VYM?
SEA yields 4.85% while VYM yields 2.22%, so SEA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SEA?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SEA led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.