SMOT vs VYM
VanEck Morningstar SMID Moat ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SMOT or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. SMOT is less concentrated, with 15.4% 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 | SMOT | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $339M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.21% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 111 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +7.22% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.90% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.65% | +17.99%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% | 11.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.4% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $15,466 | $18,160Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 15.4%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 4, 2022 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 6, 2022 to Sep 10, 2026 (3.9 years).
SMOT 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 3.9 years both funds cover.
SMOT vs VYM Performance
VanEck Morningstar SMID Moat ETF (SMOT) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SMOT returned +7.90% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, SMOT is up 7.22% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, SMOT compounded at +10.65% per year against +17.99% for VYM. Across the full 4-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +16.53% annualized vs +11.83%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMOT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% compared with 11.5% 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 -23.4% for SMOT 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SMOT charges 0.49% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $4 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SMOT currently yields 1.21% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
47.3% of SMOT's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.9% of VYM's money is in holdings SMOT also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, SMOT as of Sep 1, 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.
54 positions in common, counted across the 110 positions we hold weights for in SMOT and 603 in VYM, against full books of 111 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 515 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SMOT (91.6% of the fund), and 55 for SMOT that do not appear in VYM (51.0%).
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 SMOT | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BDXBecton Dickinson And Co. | 1.48% | 0.18% | 1.30% |
| MDLZMondelez International Inc. Class A | 1.28% | 0.31% | 0.97% |
| CICigna Corp. | 1.26% | 0.30% | 0.96% |
| DVNDevon Energy Corp. | 1.35% | 0.19% | 1.16% |
| AMCRAmcor Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.43% | 0.08% | 1.35% |
| LWLamb Weston Holdings Inc | 1.47% | 0.02% | 1.45% |
| ELEstee Lauder Cos., Inc. | 1.40% | 0.08% | 1.32% |
| CNHI:ASCnh Industrial Nv | 1.43% | 0.04% | 1.39% |
| OMCOmnicom Group Inc. | 1.36% | 0.09% | 1.27% |
| SFStifel Financial Corporation | 1.37% | 0.04% | 1.33% |
47.3% of SMOT 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, SMOT or VYM?
SMOT has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SMOT or VYM?
Over the past year SMOT returned +7.90% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), SMOT annualized +11.83% vs +16.53% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SMOT or VYM?
SMOT has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 11.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SMOT -23.4% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both SMOT and VYM?
SMOT and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 SMOT and VYM?
47.3% of SMOT's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.9% of VYM's is in holdings SMOT also owns. They hold 54 positions in common, counted across the 110 positions we hold weights for in SMOT and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SMOT or VYM?
SMOT yields 1.21% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SMOT?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. SMOT is less concentrated, with 15.4% 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.