SOLR vs VYM
Guinness Atkinson Sustainable Energy ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SOLR or VYM?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SOLR led over 1Y, VYM over the full window.
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 | SOLR | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $5M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.59% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 30 | 613 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.0% | 13.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.0% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5.6 years | $14,954 | $21,440Best |
| Fund Family | SmartETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 11, 2020 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 87 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. SOLR has data through Jun 26, 2026 and VYM through Sep 21, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 5.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 12, 2020 to Jun 26, 2026 (5.6 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SOLR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.0% compared with 13.5% 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 -38.0% for SOLR and -15.8% 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SOLR charges 0.79% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $4 annually, a gap of $75 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SOLR currently yields 0.59% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.1% of VYM's money is in holdings SOLR also owns.
Stated as a floor: for SOLR, our book for it covers 94.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VYM and SOLR share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, SOLR as of Mar 31, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
5 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in SOLR and 557 in VYM, against full books of 30 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SOLR 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, SOLR or VYM?
SOLR has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $75 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, SOLR or VYM?
SOLR has been the more volatile fund at 23.0% annualized versus 13.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SOLR -38.0% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both SOLR and VYM?
SOLR and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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 SOLR and VYM?
At least 1.1% of VYM's money is in holdings SOLR also owns. Our book for SOLR is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in SOLR and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SOLR or VYM?
SOLR yields 0.59% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SOLR?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SOLR led over 1Y, VYM over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.