SQLV vs VYM
Royce Quant Small Cap Quality Value ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SQLV or VYM?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SQLV led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SQLV is less concentrated, with 8.8% 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 | SQLV | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $40M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.95% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 322 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +22.78%Best | +12.29% |
| 1Y Return | +23.54%Best | +16.61% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.74% | +17.42%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.14% | +12.12%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.6% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -49.8% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,789 | $17,718Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 8.8%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 12, 2017 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 13, 2017 to Sep 17, 2026 (9.2 years).
SQLV 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.
SQLV vs VYM Performance
Royce Quant Small Cap Quality Value ETF (SQLV) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SQLV returned +23.54% while VYM returned +16.61%. Year to date, SQLV is up 22.78% versus a gain of 12.29% for VYM.
Over three years, SQLV compounded at +14.74% per year against +17.42% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.14% and +12.12% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.00% annualized vs +9.11%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SQLV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.6% compared with 14.8% 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 -49.8% for SQLV 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SQLV charges 0.60% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $4 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SQLV currently yields 0.95% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
17.3% of SQLV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.6% of VYM's money is in holdings SQLV also owns.
SQLV and VYM share little of their money.
41 positions in common, counted across the 317 positions we hold weights for in SQLV and 557 in VYM, against full books of 322 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 491 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SQLV (96.5% of the fund), and 273 for SQLV that do not appear in VYM (81.3%).
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 SQLV | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VCTRVictory Receivables Corp | 1.19% | 0.02% | 1.17% |
| HRBH&R Block, Inc. | 0.77% | 0.02% | 0.75% |
| SMSm Energy Co | 0.76% | 0.03% | 0.73% |
| TGNATrinet Group Inc | 0.73% | 0.01% | 0.72% |
| IBOCInternational Bancshares Corp | 0.61% | 0.02% | 0.59% |
| WUWestern Union Co (The) | 0.60% | 0.01% | 0.59% |
| CBTCabot Corp | 0.58% | 0.02% | 0.56% |
| HOGHarley-Davidson | 0.58% | 0.01% | 0.57% |
| KFYKorn Ferry | 0.57% | 0.02% | 0.55% |
| CATYCathay Generalbancorp | 0.56% | 0.02% | 0.54% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SQLV 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, SQLV or VYM?
SQLV has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SQLV or VYM?
Over the past year SQLV returned +23.54% vs +16.61% for VYM, so SQLV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), SQLV annualized +9.11% vs +10.00% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SQLV or VYM?
SQLV has been the more volatile fund at 22.6% annualized versus 14.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SQLV -49.8% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both SQLV and VYM?
SQLV 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 SQLV and VYM?
17.3% of SQLV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.6% of VYM's is in holdings SQLV also owns. They hold 41 positions in common, counted across the 317 positions we hold weights for in SQLV and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SQLV or VYM?
SQLV yields 0.95% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SQLV?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SQLV led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SQLV is less concentrated, with 8.8% 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.