SMIZ vs VYM
Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SMIZ or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SMIZ led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y and the full window. SMIZ is less concentrated, with 11.3% 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 | SMIZ | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $271M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.55% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 203 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +11.18% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.79% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.58%Best | +18.12% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.3% | 10.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -25.0% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.9 years | $17,207 | $17,232Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 11.3%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Zacks | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 3, 2023 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 3, 2023 to Sep 11, 2026 (2.9 years).
SMIZ 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 2.9 years both funds cover.
SMIZ vs VYM Performance
Zacks Small/Mid Cap ETF (SMIZ) is an ETF from Zacks and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMIZ returned +11.79% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, SMIZ is up 11.18% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, SMIZ compounded at +20.58% per year against +18.12% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMIZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% compared with 10.4% 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 -25.0% for SMIZ 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMIZ charges 0.55% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $4 annually, a gap of $51 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMIZ currently yields 0.55% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
22.1% of SMIZ's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 4.6% of VYM's money is in holdings SMIZ also owns.
SMIZ and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, SMIZ as of Aug 18, 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.
52 positions in common, counted across the 225 positions we hold weights for in SMIZ and 603 in VYM, against full books of 203 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 518 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SMIZ (92.9% of the fund), and 135 for SMIZ that do not appear in VYM (66.8%).
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 SMIZ | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NTRSNorthern Trust Corp. | 1.03% | 0.13% | 0.90% |
| KLIC:SIKulicke & Soffa Industries Inc Adr | 1.11% | 0.03% | 1.08% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 0.78% | 0.28% | 0.50% |
| INDBIndependent Bank Corp. (massachusetts) | 0.78% | 0.02% | 0.76% |
| CMICummins Inc. | 0.38% | 0.41% | 0.03% |
| NINisource Inc. | 0.65% | 0.09% | 0.56% |
| VLOValero Energy Corp. | 0.41% | 0.32% | 0.09% |
| EWBCEast West Bancorp, Inc. | 0.65% | 0.07% | 0.58% |
| KHCKraft Heinz Co. | 0.63% | 0.08% | 0.55% |
| SXTSensient Technologies Corp | 0.67% | 0.02% | 0.65% |
22.1% of SMIZ 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, SMIZ or VYM?
SMIZ has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $51 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMIZ or VYM?
Over the past year SMIZ returned +11.79% vs +17.57% 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, SMIZ or VYM?
SMIZ has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 10.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SMIZ -25.0% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both SMIZ and VYM?
SMIZ and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 SMIZ and VYM?
22.1% of SMIZ's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 4.6% of VYM's is in holdings SMIZ also owns. They hold 52 positions in common, counted across the 225 positions we hold weights for in SMIZ and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMIZ or VYM?
SMIZ yields 0.55% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SMIZ?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SMIZ led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y and the full window. SMIZ is less concentrated, with 11.3% 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.