SLYV vs VYM
State Street SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Value ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SLYV or VYM?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SLYV led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SLYV is less concentrated, with 8.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | SLYV | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $4.9B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.81% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 463 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +17.49%Best | +13.15% |
| 1Y Return | +24.21%Best | +17.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.85% | +17.99%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.93% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.4% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -63.1% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,646 | $17,750Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 8.4%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | 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 10, 2026 (19.8 years).
SLYV 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.
SLYV vs VYM Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Value ETF (SLYV) 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 SLYV returned +24.21% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, SLYV is up 17.49% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, SLYV compounded at +14.85% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +7.93% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.91% annualized vs +6.32%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SLYV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.4% compared with 14.5% 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 -63.1% for SLYV 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SLYV 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, SLYV currently yields 1.81% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
39.8% of SLYV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.8% of VYM's money is in holdings SLYV also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
142 positions in common, counted across the 463 positions we hold weights for in SLYV and 603 in VYM, against full books of 463 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 437 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SLYV (95.7% of the fund), and 316 for SLYV that do not appear in VYM (59.5%).
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 SLYV | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JXNJackson Financial Inc USD | 0.98% | 0.03% | 0.95% |
| EMNEastman Chemical Co. | 0.89% | 0.03% | 0.86% |
| LNCLincoln National Corp. | 0.84% | 0.03% | 0.81% |
| LWLamb Weston Holdings Inc | 0.77% | 0.02% | 0.75% |
| CAGConagra Brands Inc. | 0.76% | 0.03% | 0.73% |
| SMSm Energy Co | 0.74% | 0.03% | 0.71% |
| POOLPool Corp. | 0.69% | 0.03% | 0.66% |
| LKQLkq Corp. | 0.66% | 0.03% | 0.63% |
| AUBAtlantic Union Bankshares Co | 0.65% | 0.02% | 0.63% |
| MGYMagnolia Oil & Gas Corp | 0.60% | 0.02% | 0.58% |
39.8% of SLYV 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, SLYV or VYM?
SLYV 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, SLYV or VYM?
Over the past year SLYV returned +24.21% vs +17.82% for VYM, so SLYV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), SLYV annualized +6.32% vs +6.91% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SLYV or VYM?
SLYV has been the more volatile fund at 21.4% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SLYV -63.1% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both SLYV and VYM?
SLYV and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 SLYV and VYM?
39.8% of SLYV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.8% of VYM's is in holdings SLYV also owns. They hold 142 positions in common, counted across the 463 positions we hold weights for in SLYV and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SLYV or VYM?
SLYV yields 1.81% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SLYV?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SLYV led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SLYV is less concentrated, with 8.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.