SMLL vs VYM
Harbor Active Small Cap ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SMLL or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.3%.
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 | SMLL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $14M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.49% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 51 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +1.42% | +9.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | -4.98% | +13.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.30% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.45% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6% | 10.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.6% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.1 years | $10,444 | $13,158Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 36.3% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Harbor Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 27, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 29, 2024 to Sep 24, 2026 (2.1 years).
SMLL 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 2.1 years both funds cover.
SMLL vs VYM Performance
Harbor Active Small Cap ETF (SMLL) is an ETF from Harbor Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMLL returned -4.98% while VYM returned +13.77%. Year to date, SMLL is up 1.42% versus a gain of 9.71% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMLL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% compared with 10.8% 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 -23.6% for SMLL 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMLL charges 0.80% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $4 annually, a gap of $76 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMLL currently yields 1.49% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
37.8% of SMLL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.6% of VYM's money is in holdings SMLL also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
16 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in SMLL and 557 in VYM, against full books of 51 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 51 and 557 positions we hold weights for.
VYM holds 512 positions SMLL does not, 96.5% 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 SMLL | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| POOLPool Corp. | 4.83% | 0.02% | 4.81% |
| WTFCWintrust Financial Corp | 3.77% | 0.04% | 3.73% |
| SSNCSs&C Technologies Holdings Inc. | 3.52% | 0.06% | 3.46% |
| WSCWillscot Corp. | 3.23% | 0.02% | 3.21% |
| UBSIUnited Bankshares Inc/Wv | 3.17% | 0.03% | 3.14% |
| FDSFactset Research Systems Inc. | 2.98% | 0.04% | 2.94% |
| APAMArtisan Partners Asset Management, Inc. | 2.74% | 0.01% | 2.73% |
| TTCToro Co/the | 2.21% | 0.04% | 2.17% |
| ATRAptargroup Inc | 2.20% | 0.03% | 2.17% |
| RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. | 2.15% | 0.08% | 2.07% |
37.8% of SMLL 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, SMLL or VYM?
SMLL has an expense ratio of 0.80% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $76 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMLL or VYM?
Over the past year SMLL returned -4.98% vs +13.77% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SMLL annualized +2.09% vs +13.96% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMLL or VYM?
SMLL has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 10.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SMLL -23.6% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both SMLL and VYM?
SMLL and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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 SMLL and VYM?
37.8% of SMLL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.6% of VYM's is in holdings SMLL also owns. They hold 16 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in SMLL and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMLL or VYM?
SMLL yields 1.49% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SMLL?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.