SIMS vs VYM
State Street SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SIMS or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 30.1%.
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 | SIMS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $8M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.56% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 55 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +2.69% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.71% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.46% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.22% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.6% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.0% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,890 | $17,845Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 30.1% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 18, 2017 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 27, 2017 to Sep 4, 2026 (8.7 years).
SIMS 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 8.7 years both funds cover.
SIMS vs VYM Performance
State Street SPDR S&P Kensho Intelligent Structures ETF (SIMS) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SIMS returned +11.71% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, SIMS is up 2.69% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, SIMS compounded at +9.46% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -0.22% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.77% annualized vs +5.15%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SIMS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.6% compared with 15.1% 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 -44.0% for SIMS and -35.7% 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SIMS charges 0.45% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $4 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SIMS currently yields 0.56% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
19.0% of SIMS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.8% of VYM's money is in holdings SIMS also owns.
SIMS and VYM share little of their money.
11 positions in common, counted across the 54 positions we hold weights for in SIMS and 603 in VYM, against full books of 55 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 558 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SIMS (95.6% of the fund), and 37 for SIMS that do not appear in VYM (73.4%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SIMS | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JCIJohnson Controls Intl Plc | 2.77% | 0.37% | 2.40% |
| XYLXylem,Inc. | 2.87% | 0.12% | 2.75% |
| ADTADT INC | 2.95% | 0.02% | 2.93% |
| TELTE Connectivity PLC Common Stock | 1.59% | 0.24% | 1.35% |
| CARRCarrier Global Corp Common Stock Usd.01 | 1.43% | 0.24% | 1.19% |
| DDDupont De Nemours, Inc. | 1.57% | 0.08% | 1.49% |
| NRGNrg Energy | 1.44% | 0.12% | 1.32% |
| GNTXGentex Corp | 1.45% | 0.02% | 1.43% |
| CWENClearway Energy, Inc., Class C | 1.26% | 0.02% | 1.24% |
| HONHoneywell International Inc. | 0.90% | 0.29% | 0.61% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SIMS 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, SIMS or VYM?
SIMS has an expense ratio of 0.45% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $41 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SIMS or VYM?
Over the past year SIMS returned +11.71% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), SIMS annualized +5.15% vs +9.77% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SIMS or VYM?
SIMS has been the more volatile fund at 24.6% annualized versus 15.1% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SIMS -44.0% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both SIMS and VYM?
SIMS and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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 SIMS and VYM?
19.0% of SIMS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.8% of VYM's is in holdings SIMS also owns. They hold 11 positions in common, counted across the 54 positions we hold weights for in SIMS and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SIMS or VYM?
SIMS yields 0.56% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SIMS?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 30.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.