SPLV vs VYM
Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SPLV or VYM?
VYM has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPLV is less concentrated, with 12.5% 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 | SPLV | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $7.1B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.18% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 111 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +3.45% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.67% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.09% | +17.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.36% | +12.30%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.6%Best | 13.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -36.6% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,983 | $17,861Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 12.5%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 5, 2011 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 5, 2011 to Sep 18, 2026 (15.4 years).
SPLV 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 15.4 years both funds cover.
SPLV vs VYM Performance
Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPLV returned +2.67% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, SPLV is up 3.45% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, SPLV compounded at +8.09% per year against +17.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +5.36% and +12.30% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.66% annualized vs +8.05%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.0% compared with 11.6% for SPLV. 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 -36.6% for SPLV 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPLV charges 0.25% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $4 annually, a gap of $21 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPLV currently yields 2.18% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
59.8% of SPLV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 27.5% of VYM's money is in holdings SPLV also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
59 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in SPLV and 557 in VYM, against full books of 111 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 469 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SPLV (69.6% of the fund), and 41 for SPLV that do not appear in VYM (39.3%).
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 SPLV | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.99% | 3.82% | 2.83% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.24% | 2.51% | 1.27% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 1.00% | 1.66% | 0.66% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 1.23% | 1.38% | 0.15% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 1.05% | 1.37% | 0.32% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.88% | 1.48% | 0.60% |
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.08% | 0.90% | 0.18% |
| MCDMcdonald'S Corp | 1.06% | 0.78% | 0.28% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 0.94% | 0.70% | 0.24% |
| CBChubb Ltd Common Stock Usd 24.15 | 1.12% | 0.50% | 0.62% |
59.8% of SPLV 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, SPLV or VYM?
SPLV has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $21 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPLV or VYM?
Over the past year SPLV returned +2.67% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), SPLV annualized +8.05% vs +9.66% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPLV or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.0% annualized versus 11.6% for SPLV. Worst drawdown: SPLV -36.6% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both SPLV and VYM?
SPLV and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 SPLV and VYM?
59.8% of SPLV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 27.5% of VYM's is in holdings SPLV also owns. They hold 59 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in SPLV and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPLV or VYM?
SPLV yields 2.18% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SPLV?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPLV is less concentrated, with 12.5% 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.