SMCO vs VYM
Hilton Small-MidCap Opportunity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SMCO or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. SMCO is less concentrated, with 24.9% 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 | SMCO | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $137M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.94% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 65 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +3.79% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.65% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.9% | 10.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -22.7% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $14,330 | $16,556Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 24.9%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Hilton Capital Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 28, 2023 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 29, 2023 to Sep 10, 2026 (2.8 years).
SMCO 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 2.8 years both funds cover.
SMCO vs VYM Performance
Hilton Small-MidCap Opportunity ETF (SMCO) is an ETF from Hilton Capital Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMCO returned +6.65% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, SMCO is up 3.79% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMCO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 10.3% 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 -22.7% for SMCO and -14.5% 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMCO charges 0.55% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $4 annually, a gap of $51 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMCO currently yields 0.94% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
31.9% of SMCO's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.0% of VYM's money is in holdings SMCO also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, SMCO as of Aug 17, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
22 positions in common, counted across the 63 positions we hold weights for in SMCO and 603 in VYM, against full books of 65 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 546 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SMCO (96.5% of the fund), and 40 for SMCO that do not appear in VYM (65.1%).
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 SMCO | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFRCullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. | 2.74% | 0.04% | 2.70% |
| EQTEqt Corp | 2.19% | 0.13% | 2.06% |
| PRMBPrimo Brands Corp | 2.14% | 0.02% | 2.12% |
| IDAIdacorp Inc | 2.12% | 0.03% | 2.09% |
| CBSHCommerce Bancshares, Inc. | 1.87% | 0.03% | 1.84% |
| CBUCommunity Bank System Inc | 1.89% | 0.01% | 1.88% |
| WSCWillscot Holdings Corp | 1.85% | 0.02% | 1.83% |
| RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. | 1.67% | 0.08% | 1.59% |
| JKHYJack Henry & Associates Inc | 1.46% | 0.04% | 1.42% |
| MCMoelis & Co | 1.46% | 0.02% | 1.44% |
31.9% of SMCO 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, SMCO or VYM?
SMCO has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $51 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMCO or VYM?
Over the past year SMCO returned +6.65% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMCO or VYM?
SMCO has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 10.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SMCO -22.7% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both SMCO and VYM?
SMCO and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 SMCO and VYM?
31.9% of SMCO's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.0% of VYM's is in holdings SMCO also owns. They hold 22 positions in common, counted across the 63 positions we hold weights for in SMCO and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMCO or VYM?
SMCO yields 0.94% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SMCO?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. SMCO is less concentrated, with 24.9% 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.