SMMD vs VYM
iShares Russell 2500 ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SMMD or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SMMD led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.8%.
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 | SMMD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $3.8B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 520 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +14.06%Best | +9.71% |
| 1Y Return | +18.12%Best | +13.77% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.93%Best | +17.30% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.00% | +11.45%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.4% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -41.1% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,026 | $17,195Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 43.8% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2017 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 7, 2017 to Sep 24, 2026 (9.2 years).
SMMD 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 9.2 years both funds cover.
SMMD vs VYM Performance
iShares Russell 2500 ETF (SMMD) 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 SMMD returned +18.12% while VYM returned +13.77%. Year to date, SMMD is up 14.06% versus a gain of 9.71% for VYM.
Over three years, SMMD compounded at +17.93% per year against +17.30% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +7.00% and +11.45% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.75% annualized vs +9.68%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMMD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.4% compared with 14.9% 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 -41.1% for SMMD 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
SMMD 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, SMMD currently yields 1.06% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
19.0% of SMMD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.6% of VYM's money is in holdings SMMD also owns.
SMMD and VYM share little of their money.
166 positions in common, counted across the 509 positions we hold weights for in SMMD and 557 in VYM, against full books of 520 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 365 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SMMD (91.5% of the fund), and 329 for SMMD that do not appear in VYM (79.4%).
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 SMMD | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NINisource Inc. | 0.27% | 0.09% | 0.18% |
| PKGPackaging Corp. Of America | 0.27% | 0.09% | 0.18% |
| RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. | 0.27% | 0.08% | 0.19% |
| SNASnap-On Inc. | 0.27% | 0.08% | 0.19% |
| VTRSViatris Inc. | 0.27% | 0.08% | 0.19% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 0.26% | 0.07% | 0.19% |
| PRPermian Resource | 0.26% | 0.07% | 0.19% |
| EWBCEast West Bancorp, Inc. | 0.24% | 0.07% | 0.17% |
| CHRWCH Robinson Worldwide | 0.24% | 0.07% | 0.17% |
| DINOHF Sinclair Corp | 0.22% | 0.06% | 0.16% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SMMD and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SMMD or VYM?
SMMD 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, SMMD or VYM?
Over the past year SMMD returned +18.12% vs +13.77% for VYM, so SMMD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), SMMD annualized +9.68% vs +9.75% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMMD or VYM?
SMMD has been the more volatile fund at 20.4% annualized versus 14.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SMMD -41.1% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both SMMD and VYM?
SMMD 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 SMMD and VYM?
19.0% of SMMD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.6% of VYM's is in holdings SMMD also owns. They hold 166 positions in common, counted across the 509 positions we hold weights for in SMMD and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMMD or VYM?
SMMD yields 1.06% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SMMD?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SMMD led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.