SMDX vs VYM
Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SMDX or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SMDX led over the full window, VYM over 1Y. SMDX is less concentrated, with 9.0% 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 | SMDX | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $128M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.52% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 529 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +12.34% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.12% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.7% | 10.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -14.5% | -13.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $12,916Best | $12,481 |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.0%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Intech ETF | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 1, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 28, 2025 to Sep 10, 2026 (1.5 years).
SMDX 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
SMDX vs VYM Performance
Intech S&P Small-Mid Cap Diversified Alpha ETF (SMDX) is an ETF from Intech ETF and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMDX returned +16.12% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, SMDX is up 12.34% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMDX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.7% compared with 10.0% 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 -14.5% for SMDX and -13.8% 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMDX charges 0.35% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $4 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMDX currently yields 0.52% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
25.9% of SMDX's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 3.9% of VYM's money is in holdings SMDX also owns.
SMDX and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 64 days apart, SMDX 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.
166 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in SMDX and 603 in VYM, against full books of 529 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 406 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SMDX (93.6% of the fund), and 380 for SMDX that do not appear in VYM (71.7%).
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 SMDX | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EWBCEast West Bancorp, Inc. | 0.96% | 0.07% | 0.89% |
| DINOHollyfrontier | 0.91% | 0.04% | 0.87% |
| VLYValley National Bancorp | 0.69% | 0.03% | 0.66% |
| UNMUnum Group | 0.65% | 0.06% | 0.59% |
| STSensata Technologies Holding Plc | 0.65% | 0.03% | 0.62% |
| RRyder System Inc | 0.57% | 0.04% | 0.53% |
| OLEDUniversal Display Corp | 0.57% | 0.02% | 0.55% |
| RGAReinsurance Group Of America Inc | 0.48% | 0.06% | 0.42% |
| PFSProvident Financial Services Inc | 0.46% | 0.01% | 0.45% |
| JXNJackson Financial Inc USD | 0.39% | 0.03% | 0.36% |
25.9% of SMDX 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, SMDX or VYM?
SMDX has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMDX or VYM?
Over the past year SMDX returned +16.12% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SMDX annualized +18.60% vs +15.92% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMDX or VYM?
SMDX has been the more volatile fund at 12.7% annualized versus 10.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SMDX -14.5% vs VYM -13.8%.
Should I hold both SMDX and VYM?
SMDX 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 SMDX and VYM?
25.9% of SMDX's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 3.9% of VYM's is in holdings SMDX also owns. They hold 166 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in SMDX and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMDX or VYM?
SMDX yields 0.52% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SMDX?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SMDX led over the full window, VYM over 1Y. SMDX is less concentrated, with 9.0% 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.