SMCY vs VYM
YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SMCY or VYM?
Multi Alternative 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 | SMCY | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.01% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $149M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 134.47% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 18 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +3.51% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | -22.08% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 70.6% | 10.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -64.8% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 2 years | $6,147 | $13,668Best |
| Fund Family | YieldMax ETF | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 11, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 12, 2024 to Sep 10, 2026 (2 years).
SMCY 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 years both funds cover.
SMCY vs VYM Performance
YieldMax SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF (SMCY) is an ETF from YieldMax ETF and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMCY returned -22.08% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, SMCY is up 3.51% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMCY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 70.6% compared with 10.5% 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 -64.8% for SMCY 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 0.25. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMCY charges 1.01% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $101 vs $4 annually, a gap of $97 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMCY currently yields 134.47% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in SMCY and 603 in VYM, totalling 22.8% and 99.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, SMCY as of Sep 1, 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in SMCY and 603 in VYM, against full books of 18 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SMCY 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, SMCY or VYM?
SMCY has an expense ratio of 1.01% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $97 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMCY or VYM?
Over the past year SMCY returned -22.08% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SMCY annualized -21.60% vs +16.91% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMCY or VYM?
SMCY has been the more volatile fund at 70.6% annualized versus 10.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SMCY -64.8% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both SMCY and VYM?
SMCY and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.25, 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, SMCY or VYM?
SMCY yields 134.47% while VYM yields 2.22%, so SMCY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SMCY?
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.