SLTY vs VYM
YieldMax Ultra Short Option Income Strategy ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SLTY or VYM?
Opposite sides of the same exposure.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.55, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees.
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 | SLTY | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.25% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $17M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 102.18% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 103 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -3.85% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | -7.26% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.30% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7% | 9.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -20.9% | -6.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $8,214 | $11,943Best |
| Fund Family | YieldMax ETF | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 20, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 21, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.1 years).
SLTY 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 1.1 years both funds cover.
SLTY vs VYM Performance
YieldMax Ultra Short Option Income Strategy ETF (SLTY) is an ETF from YieldMax ETF and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SLTY returned -7.26% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, SLTY is down 3.85% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SLTY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 9.8% 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 -20.9% for SLTY and -6.7% 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 -0.55. They move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, while paying both funds' fees.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SLTY charges 1.25% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $125 vs $4 annually, a gap of $121 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SLTY currently yields 102.18% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.3% of VYM's money is in holdings SLTY also owns.
Stated as a floor: for SLTY, our book for it covers 39.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
They hold the same names on opposite sides, so owning both offsets the exposure rather than doubling it.
9 positions in common, counted across the 29 positions we hold weights for in SLTY and 557 in VYM, against full books of 103 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SLTY | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VFCVf | -1.80% | 0.02% | 1.82% |
| TMUST-Mobile Usa Inc Esrw Usd Npv Ref Sm#585558 | -2.64% | 0.34% | 2.98% |
| ETNEaton Corp Plc | -3.52% | 0.65% | 4.17% |
| TGTTarget Corp Common Stock Usd.0833 | -3.57% | 0.27% | 3.84% |
| CAGConagra Brands Inc. | -3.37% | 0.03% | 3.40% |
| CARRCarrier Global Corp Common Stock Usd.01 | -3.74% | 0.20% | 3.94% |
| NKENike Inc | -4.11% | 0.20% | 4.31% |
| LENLennar Corp. Class A | -4.18% | 0.07% | 4.25% |
| SBUXStarbucks Corp | -5.09% | 0.49% | 5.58% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SLTY 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, SLTY or VYM?
SLTY has an expense ratio of 1.25% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $121 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SLTY or VYM?
Over the past year SLTY returned -7.26% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), SLTY annualized -16.38% vs +17.52% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SLTY or VYM?
SLTY has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 9.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SLTY -20.9% vs VYM -6.7%.
Should I hold both SLTY and VYM?
SLTY and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of -0.55, so they move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, and pays both funds' fees on the way. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between SLTY and VYM?
At least 2.3% of VYM's money is in holdings SLTY also owns. Our book for SLTY is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 29 positions we hold weights for in SLTY and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SLTY or VYM?
SLTY yields 102.18% while VYM yields 2.22%, so SLTY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SLTY?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.55, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.