SPYT vs VYM
Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SPYT or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and 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 | SPYT | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.92% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $158M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 20.68% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 5 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +11.33% | +13.75%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.78% | +19.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.2% | 10.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.3% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.5 years | $14,151 | $14,763Best |
| Fund Family | Defiance ETFs, LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 7, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 7, 2024 to Sep 9, 2026 (2.5 years).
SPYT 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 2.5 years both funds cover.
SPYT vs VYM Performance
Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF (SPYT) is an ETF from Defiance ETFs, LLC and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPYT returned +15.78% while VYM returned +19.42%. Year to date, SPYT is up 11.33% versus a gain of 13.75% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPYT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.2% compared with 10.2% 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 -18.3% for SPYT 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPYT charges 0.92% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $92 vs $4 annually, a gap of $88 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SPYT currently yields 20.68% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in SPYT and 603 in VYM, totalling 100.0% and 99.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, SPYT 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in SPYT and 603 in VYM, against full books of 5 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPYT 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, SPYT or VYM?
SPYT has an expense ratio of 0.92% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $88 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SPYT or VYM?
Over the past year SPYT returned +15.78% vs +19.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPYT or VYM?
SPYT has been the more volatile fund at 11.2% annualized versus 10.2% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SPYT -18.3% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both SPYT and VYM?
SPYT and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPYT or VYM?
SPYT yields 20.68% while VYM yields 2.22%, so SPYT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SPYT?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.