SLWS vs VYM
SLW Short Duration Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SLWS or VYM?
Short Term Bond against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y 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 | SLWS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.42% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $400M | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.32% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 439 | 610 |
| YTD Return | +2.88% | +16.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.81% | +18.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.46% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.54% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 1.1%Best | 11.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -0.8%Best | -6.7% |
| $10,000 over 1 years | $10,390 | $12,046Best |
| Fund Family | WisdomTree Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 19, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 5, 2025 to Nov 11, 2026 (1 years).
SLWS 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 years both funds cover.
SLWS vs VYM Performance
SLW Short Duration Income ETF (SLWS) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SLWS returned +3.81% while VYM returned +18.97%. Year to date, SLWS is up 2.88% versus a gain of 16.00% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.8% compared with 1.1% for SLWS. 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 -0.8% for SLWS 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SLWS charges 0.42% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $42 vs $4 annually, a gap of $38 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SLWS currently yields 5.32% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 99 holdings in SLWS and 602 in VYM, totalling 53.1% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in SLWS and 602 in VYM, against full books of 439 and 610.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SLWS 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, SLWS or VYM?
SLWS has an expense ratio of 0.42% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $38 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SLWS or VYM?
Over the past year SLWS returned +3.81% vs +18.97% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), SLWS annualized +3.90% vs +20.46% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SLWS or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 11.8% annualized versus 1.1% for SLWS. Worst drawdown: SLWS -0.8% vs VYM -6.7%.
Should I hold both SLWS and VYM?
SLWS and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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, SLWS or VYM?
SLWS yields 5.32% while VYM yields 2.23%, so SLWS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SLWS?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.