SMIG vs VYM
Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SMIG or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.5%.
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 | SMIG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.5B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.84% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 41 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +8.48% | +9.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.79% | +13.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.82% | +17.30%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.87% | +11.45%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.3% | 13.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.6% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,941 | $17,195Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 40.5% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Advisors Asset Management, Inc. | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 25, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 26, 2021 to Sep 24, 2026 (5.1 years).
SMIG 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 5.1 years both funds cover.
SMIG vs VYM Performance
Bahl & Gaynor Small/Mid Cap Income Growth ETF (SMIG) is an ETF from Advisors Asset Management, Inc. and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMIG returned +7.79% while VYM returned +13.77%. Year to date, SMIG is up 8.48% versus a gain of 9.71% for VYM.
Over three years, SMIG compounded at +12.82% per year against +17.30% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +6.87% and +11.45% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMIG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% 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 -19.6% for SMIG and -15.8% 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMIG charges 0.60% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $4 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMIG currently yields 1.84% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
68.3% of SMIG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.9% of VYM's money is in holdings SMIG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
27 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in SMIG and 557 in VYM, against full books of 41 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 501 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SMIG (95.2% of the fund), and 10 for SMIG that do not appear in VYM (26.4%).
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 SMIG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRGPTarga Resources Corp Preferred | 4.74% | 0.23% | 4.51% |
| SNASnap-On Inc. | 4.54% | 0.08% | 4.46% |
| VCTRVictory Receivables Corp | 4.54% | 0.02% | 4.52% |
| DTMDT Midstream Inc | 3.78% | 0.06% | 3.72% |
| HUBBHubbell Inc | 3.45% | 0.10% | 3.35% |
| PKGPackaging Corp. Of America | 3.43% | 0.09% | 3.34% |
| RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated | 3.31% | 0.06% | 3.25% |
| FFBCFirst Financial Bank. | 3.08% | 0.01% | 3.07% |
| HIGHartford Financial Services Group Inc. | 2.83% | 0.16% | 2.67% |
| NINisource Inc. | 2.90% | 0.09% | 2.81% |
68.3% of SMIG 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, SMIG or VYM?
SMIG has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMIG or VYM?
Over the past year SMIG returned +7.79% vs +13.77% 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, SMIG or VYM?
SMIG has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 13.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SMIG -19.6% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both SMIG and VYM?
SMIG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between SMIG and VYM?
68.3% of SMIG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.9% of VYM's is in holdings SMIG also owns. They hold 27 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in SMIG and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMIG or VYM?
SMIG yields 1.84% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SMIG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 40.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.