SHYL vs VOO
Xtrackers Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, SHYL or VOO?
High Yield Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO 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 | SHYL | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $266M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.94% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 831 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +1.16% | +11.55%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.83% | +17.54%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.49% | +20.71%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.68% | +12.80%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.4%Best | 16.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -21.6%Best | -34.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,570 | $18,262Best |
| Fund Family | Xtrackers ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jan 9, 2018 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 10, 2018 to Sep 10, 2026 (8.7 years).
SHYL vs VOO 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 8.7 years both funds cover.
SHYL vs VOO Performance
Xtrackers Short Duration High Yield Bond ETF (SHYL) is an ETF from Xtrackers ETFs and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SHYL returned +2.83% while VOO returned +17.54%. Year to date, SHYL is up 1.16% versus a gain of 11.55% for VOO.
Over three years, SHYL compounded at +7.49% per year against +20.71% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +4.68% and +12.80% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.47% annualized vs +2.48%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.4% compared with 6.4% for SHYL. 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 -21.6% for SHYL and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SHYL charges 0.20% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $3 annually, a gap of $17 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SHYL currently yields 6.94% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 716 holdings in SHYL and 505 in VOO, totalling 84.4% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 64 days apart, SHYL as of Sep 2, 2026 and VOO as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 716 positions we hold weights for in SHYL and 505 in VOO, against full books of 831 and 509.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SHYL and VOO 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, SHYL or VOO?
SHYL has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $17 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SHYL or VOO?
Over the past year SHYL returned +2.83% vs +17.54% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), SHYL annualized +2.48% vs +13.47% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SHYL or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 16.4% annualized versus 6.4% for SHYL. Worst drawdown: SHYL -21.6% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both SHYL and VOO?
SHYL and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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, SHYL or VOO?
SHYL yields 6.94% while VOO yields 1.04%, so SHYL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than SHYL?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO 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.