SEPQ vs VYM
STF Tactical Growth & Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SEPQ or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SEPQ led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%.
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 | SEPQ | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $92M | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.33% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 196 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +20.69%Best | +10.00% |
| 1Y Return | +20.32%Best | +13.75% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.16%Best | +18.81% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.63% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.9% | 14.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.4% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.4 years | $18,716Best | $16,942 |
| Top 10 Weight | 47.2% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Shelton Capital Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 18, 2022 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 19, 2022 to Oct 2, 2026 (4.4 years).
SEPQ 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 4.4 years both funds cover.
SEPQ vs VYM Performance
STF Tactical Growth & Income ETF (SEPQ) is an ETF from Shelton Capital Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SEPQ returned +20.32% while VYM returned +13.75%. Year to date, SEPQ is up 20.69% versus a gain of 10.00% for VYM.
Over three years, SEPQ compounded at +24.16% per year against +18.81% for VYM. Across the full 4-year window we track, SEPQ has the edge at +15.31% annualized vs +12.73%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SEPQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% compared with 14.0% 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 -23.4% for SEPQ and -14.5% 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 0.38. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SEPQ 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, SEPQ currently yields 11.33% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
16.5% of SEPQ's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 19.5% of VYM's money is in holdings SEPQ also owns.
VYM and SEPQ share little of their money.
28 positions in common, counted across the 97 positions we hold weights for in SEPQ and 557 in VYM, against full books of 196 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 500 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SEPQ (77.5% of the fund), and 66 for SEPQ that do not appear in VYM (77.8%).
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 SEPQ | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.57% | 7.35% | 4.78% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 2.13% | 1.86% | 0.27% |
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.05% | 0.90% | 0.15% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.97% | 0.78% | 0.19% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 0.93% | 0.77% | 0.16% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 0.95% | 0.63% | 0.32% |
| GILDGilead Sciences | 0.86% | 0.66% | 0.20% |
| TMUST-Mobile Usa Inc Esrw Usd Npv Ref Sm#585558 | 1.03% | 0.34% | 0.69% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 0.28% | 1.02% | 0.74% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 0.41% | 0.73% | 0.32% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SEPQ 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, SEPQ or VYM?
SEPQ 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, SEPQ or VYM?
Over the past year SEPQ returned +20.32% vs +13.75% for VYM, so SEPQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), SEPQ annualized +15.31% vs +12.73% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SEPQ or VYM?
SEPQ has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 14.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SEPQ -23.4% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both SEPQ and VYM?
SEPQ and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.38, 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 SEPQ and VYM?
19.5% of VYM's money is in holdings SEPQ also owns. 19.5% of VYM's is in holdings SEPQ also owns. They hold 28 positions in common, counted across the 97 positions we hold weights for in SEPQ and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SEPQ or VYM?
SEPQ yields 11.33% while VYM yields 2.22%, so SEPQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SEPQ?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SEPQ led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.