SMCP vs VYM
SMART Mid Cap ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SMCP or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.5%.
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 | SMCP | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $10M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 33 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +9.93% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.93% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +2.41% | +18.12%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -2.13% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.0% | 13.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.8% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,979 | $17,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 58.5% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | SMART Wealth, LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 11, 2026 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 21, 2015 to Sep 11, 2026 (11.4 years).
SMCP 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 11.4 years both funds cover.
SMCP vs VYM Performance
SMART Mid Cap ETF (SMCP) is an ETF from SMART Wealth, LLC and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMCP returned +9.93% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, SMCP is up 9.93% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, SMCP compounded at +2.41% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -2.13% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.32% annualized vs +1.05%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMCP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.0% compared with 13.9% 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 -43.8% for SMCP and -35.7% 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMCP charges 0.79% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $4 annually, a gap of $75 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMCP currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
4.7% of SMCP's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
SMCP and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 64 days apart, SMCP as of Sep 2, 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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 32 positions we hold weights for in SMCP and 603 in VYM, against full books of 33 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 567 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SMCP (97.5% of the fund), and 23 for SMCP that do not appear in VYM (65.7%).
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 SMCP | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EBCEastern Bankshares Inc | 4.72% | 0.02% | 4.70% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SMCP 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, SMCP or VYM?
SMCP has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $75 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMCP or VYM?
Over the past year SMCP returned +9.93% vs +17.57% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), SMCP annualized +1.05% vs +9.32% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMCP or VYM?
SMCP has been the more volatile fund at 21.0% annualized versus 13.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SMCP -43.8% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both SMCP and VYM?
SMCP and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 SMCP and VYM?
4.7% of SMCP's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.0% of VYM's is in holdings SMCP also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 32 positions we hold weights for in SMCP and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMCP or VYM?
SMCP yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SMCP?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.