SETM vs VYM
Sprott Critical Materials ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SETM or VYM?
Energy against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SETM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.2%.
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 | SETM | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $613M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.31% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 158 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +2.98% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +37.94%Best | +15.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.90%Best | +17.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.30% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 32.5% | 11.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -41.8% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.6 years | $16,410Best | $15,811 |
| Top 10 Weight | 40.2% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Sprott ETFS | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Energy | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 1, 2023 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 2, 2023 to Sep 18, 2026 (3.6 years).
SETM 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 3.6 years both funds cover.
SETM vs VYM Performance
Sprott Critical Materials ETF (SETM) is an ETF from Sprott ETFS and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SETM returned +37.94% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, SETM is up 2.98% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, SETM compounded at +22.90% per year against +17.22% for VYM. Across the full 4-year window we track, SETM has the edge at +14.75% annualized vs +13.57%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SETM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 32.5% compared with 11.3% 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 -41.8% for SETM 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 0.53. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SETM 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, SETM currently yields 1.31% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
5.7% of SETM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.1% of VYM's money is in holdings SETM also owns.
SETM and VYM share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 155 positions we hold weights for in SETM and 557 in VYM, against full books of 158 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 526 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SETM (96.9% of the fund), and 11 for SETM that do not appear in VYM (11.0%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SETM 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, SETM or VYM?
SETM 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, SETM or VYM?
Over the past year SETM returned +37.94% vs +15.34% for VYM, so SETM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), SETM annualized +14.75% vs +13.57% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SETM or VYM?
SETM has been the more volatile fund at 32.5% annualized versus 11.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SETM -41.8% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both SETM and VYM?
SETM and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.53, 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 SETM and VYM?
5.7% of SETM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.1% of VYM's is in holdings SETM also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 155 positions we hold weights for in SETM and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SETM or VYM?
SETM yields 1.31% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SETM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SETM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.