SLYG vs VYM
State Street SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SLYG or VYM?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SLYG led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. SLYG is less concentrated, with 9.8% 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 | SLYG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $4.9B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.67% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 351 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +15.03%Best | +11.71% |
| 1Y Return | +17.29%Best | +16.24% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.27% | +17.24%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.30% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.3% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.4% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,946 | $17,514Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.8%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 25, 2000 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 16, 2026 (19.8 years).
SLYG 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
SLYG vs VYM Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG) 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 SLYG returned +17.29% while VYM returned +16.24%. Year to date, SLYG is up 15.03% versus a gain of 11.71% for VYM.
Over three years, SLYG compounded at +14.27% per year against +17.24% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +5.30% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, SLYG has the edge at +8.38% annualized vs +6.84%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SLYG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% compared with 14.6% 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 -60.4% for SLYG and -58.8% 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 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SLYG charges 0.15% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $4 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SLYG currently yields 0.67% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
12.1% of SLYG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.7% of VYM's money is in holdings SLYG also owns.
SLYG and VYM share little of their money.
46 positions in common, counted across the 347 positions we hold weights for in SLYG and 557 in VYM, against full books of 351 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 484 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SLYG (96.4% of the fund), and 295 for SLYG that do not appear in VYM (85.0%).
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 SLYG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SXTSensient Technologies Corp | 0.66% | 0.02% | 0.64% |
| IBPInstalled Building Products | 0.63% | 0.02% | 0.61% |
| VIRTVirtu Financial Inc Class A | 0.62% | 0.02% | 0.60% |
| AROCArchrock, Inc. | 0.62% | 0.02% | 0.60% |
| YOUClear Secure Inc -Class A | 0.46% | 0.02% | 0.44% |
| CWENClearway Energy, Inc., Class C | 0.44% | 0.02% | 0.42% |
| STEPStepstone Group Lp | 0.42% | 0.01% | 0.41% |
| CALMCal-maine Foods Inc | 0.41% | 0.02% | 0.39% |
| VCTRVictory Receivables Corp | 0.41% | 0.02% | 0.39% |
| MKTXMarketaxess Holdings Inc?.? | 0.36% | 0.02% | 0.34% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SLYG 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, SLYG or VYM?
SLYG has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SLYG or VYM?
Over the past year SLYG returned +17.29% vs +16.24% for VYM, so SLYG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), SLYG annualized +8.38% vs +6.84% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SLYG or VYM?
SLYG has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SLYG -60.4% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both SLYG and VYM?
SLYG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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 SLYG and VYM?
12.1% of SLYG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.7% of VYM's is in holdings SLYG also owns. They hold 46 positions in common, counted across the 347 positions we hold weights for in SLYG and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SLYG or VYM?
SLYG yields 0.67% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SLYG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SLYG led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. SLYG is less concentrated, with 9.8% 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.