SMDV vs VYM
Proshares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SMDV or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SMDV is less concentrated, with 12.1% 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 | SMDV | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $709M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.32% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 101 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +10.82%Best | +10.24% |
| 1Y Return | +10.92% | +14.89%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.31% | +18.00%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.51% | +11.42%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.0% | 13.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.1%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,076 | $17,172Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 12.1%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 3, 2015 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 5, 2015 to Sep 25, 2026 (11.6 years).
SMDV 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 11.6 years both funds cover.
SMDV vs VYM Performance
Proshares Russell 2000 Dividend Growers ETF (SMDV) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMDV returned +10.92% while VYM returned +14.89%. Year to date, SMDV is up 10.82% versus a gain of 10.24% for VYM.
Over three years, SMDV compounded at +11.31% per year against +18.00% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +5.51% and +11.42% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +8.85% annualized vs +7.54%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMDV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.0% 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 -34.1% for SMDV 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMDV charges 0.40% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $4 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMDV currently yields 2.32% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
36.2% of SMDV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.9% of VYM's money is in holdings SMDV also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
36 positions in common, counted across the 97 positions we hold weights for in SMDV and 557 in VYM, against full books of 101 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 97 and 557 positions we hold weights for.
VYM holds 492 positions SMDV does not, 96.1% of the fund.
Largest: AVGO 7.35%, JPM 3.82%, XOM 2.63%, JNJ 2.51%, CSCO 1.86%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SMDV | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HNIHni Corp | 1.43% | 0.01% | 1.42% |
| PRGOPerrigo Company Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.31% | 0.01% | 1.30% |
| AVNTAvient Corp | 1.18% | 0.01% | 1.17% |
| NEMNewmont Corp Common | 0.78% | 0.41% | 0.37% |
| WLYJohn Wiley & Sons Inc | 1.14% | 0.01% | 1.13% |
| AWRAmerican States Water Co | 1.13% | 0.01% | 1.12% |
| KWRQuaker Chemical Corp. | 1.13% | 0.01% | 1.12% |
| WSBCWesbanco, Inc. | 1.08% | 0.02% | 1.06% |
| CPKChesapeake Utilities Corp | 1.07% | 0.01% | 1.06% |
| CNSCohen & Steers Inc | 1.04% | 0.01% | 1.03% |
36.2% of SMDV 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SMDV or VYM?
SMDV has an expense ratio of 0.40% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMDV or VYM?
Over the past year SMDV returned +10.92% vs +14.89% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), SMDV annualized +7.54% vs +8.85% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMDV or VYM?
SMDV has been the more volatile fund at 16.0% annualized versus 13.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SMDV -34.1% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both SMDV and VYM?
SMDV and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 SMDV and VYM?
36.2% of SMDV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.9% of VYM's is in holdings SMDV also owns. They hold 36 positions in common, counted across the 97 positions we hold weights for in SMDV and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMDV or VYM?
SMDV yields 2.32% while VYM yields 2.22%, so SMDV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SMDV?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SMDV is less concentrated, with 12.1% 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.