SMLF vs VYM
iShares US Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SMLF or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SMLF led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. SMLF is less concentrated, with 7.8% 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 | SMLF | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $4.2B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 934 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +13.74%Best | +10.96% |
| 1Y Return | +15.13% | +15.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.69%Best | +17.78% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.88% | +12.05%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.9% | 14.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.1% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,760 | $17,663Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 7.8%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 28, 2015 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 30, 2015 to Sep 22, 2026 (11.4 years).
SMLF 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 11.4 years both funds cover.
SMLF vs VYM Performance
iShares US Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (SMLF) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMLF returned +15.13% while VYM returned +15.42%. Year to date, SMLF is up 13.74% versus a gain of 10.96% for VYM.
Over three years, SMLF compounded at +19.69% per year against +17.78% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +10.88% and +12.05% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, SMLF has the edge at +10.59% annualized vs +9.03%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMLF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.9% compared with 14.0% 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 -43.1% for SMLF 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMLF charges 0.15% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $4 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMLF currently yields 1.01% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
24.2% of SMLF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.9% of VYM's money is in holdings SMLF also owns.
SMLF and VYM share little of their money.
195 positions in common, counted across the 864 positions we hold weights for in SMLF and 557 in VYM, against full books of 934 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 344 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SMLF (91.2% of the fund), and 628 for SMLF that do not appear in VYM (69.1%).
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 SMLF | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WSMWilliams-sonoma Inc | 0.59% | 0.11% | 0.48% |
| GILDGilead Sciences | 0.00% | 0.66% | 0.66% |
| TPRTapestry Inc. | 0.53% | 0.13% | 0.40% |
| RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. | 0.54% | 0.08% | 0.46% |
| EWBCEast West Bancorp, Inc. | 0.42% | 0.07% | 0.35% |
| HASHasbro Inc. | 0.40% | 0.05% | 0.35% |
| IDAIdacorp Inc Ida | 0.41% | 0.03% | 0.38% |
| EXEExpand Energy Corp | 0.33% | 0.09% | 0.24% |
| APAApa Corp | 0.37% | 0.05% | 0.32% |
| EVREvercore, Inc. Class A | 0.37% | 0.05% | 0.32% |
24.2% of SMLF 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, SMLF or VYM?
SMLF has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMLF or VYM?
Over the past year SMLF returned +15.13% vs +15.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), SMLF annualized +10.59% vs +9.03% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMLF or VYM?
SMLF has been the more volatile fund at 18.9% annualized versus 14.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SMLF -43.1% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both SMLF and VYM?
SMLF and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 SMLF and VYM?
24.2% of SMLF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.9% of VYM's is in holdings SMLF also owns. They hold 195 positions in common, counted across the 864 positions we hold weights for in SMLF and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMLF or VYM?
SMLF yields 1.01% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SMLF?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SMLF led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. SMLF is less concentrated, with 7.8% 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.