SIXL vs VYM
6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SIXL 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. SIXL is less concentrated, with 6.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | SIXL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.46% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $205M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.16% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 241 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +7.55% | +11.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.66% | +16.24%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.09% | +17.24%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.44% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.4%Best | 13.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -16.1% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,426 | $17,514Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 6.7%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | 6 Meridian ETF | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 11, 2020 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 11, 2020 to Sep 16, 2026 (6.3 years).
SIXL 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 6.3 years both funds cover.
SIXL vs VYM Performance
6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF (SIXL) is an ETF from 6 Meridian ETF and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SIXL returned +8.66% while VYM returned +16.24%. Year to date, SIXL is up 7.55% versus a gain of 11.71% for VYM.
Over three years, SIXL compounded at +9.09% per year against +17.24% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +4.44% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +15.06% annualized vs +8.20%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.8% compared with 12.4% for SIXL. 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 -16.1% for SIXL 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SIXL charges 0.46% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $46 vs $4 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SIXL currently yields 2.16% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
47.0% of SIXL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 22.4% of VYM's money is in holdings SIXL also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
115 positions in common, counted across the 241 positions we hold weights for in SIXL and 557 in VYM, against full books of 241 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 415 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SIXL (74.7% of the fund), and 119 for SIXL that do not appear in VYM (50.2%).
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 SIXL | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.46% | 2.51% | 2.05% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.47% | 1.38% | 0.91% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.39% | 1.37% | 0.98% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 0.45% | 1.21% | 0.76% |
| VZVerizon Communic | 0.40% | 0.80% | 0.40% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 0.40% | 0.74% | 0.34% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 0.36% | 0.77% | 0.41% |
| MCDMcdonald'S Corp | 0.33% | 0.78% | 0.45% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 0.37% | 0.74% | 0.37% |
| CVSCvs Corp | 0.51% | 0.54% | 0.03% |
47.0% of SIXL is already inside VYM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SIXL or VYM?
SIXL has an expense ratio of 0.46% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SIXL or VYM?
Over the past year SIXL returned +8.66% vs +16.24% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), SIXL annualized +8.20% vs +15.06% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SIXL or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.8% annualized versus 12.4% for SIXL. Worst drawdown: SIXL -16.1% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both SIXL and VYM?
SIXL and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 SIXL and VYM?
47.0% of SIXL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 22.4% of VYM's is in holdings SIXL also owns. They hold 115 positions in common, counted across the 241 positions we hold weights for in SIXL and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SIXL or VYM?
SIXL yields 2.16% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SIXL?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SIXL is less concentrated, with 6.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.