STAX vs VYM
Nomura Tax-Free USA Short Term ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, STAX or VYM?
Municipal Bond 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 | STAX | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $11M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.15% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 93 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +0.22% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.52% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.30% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 1.8%Best | 10.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -1.4%Best | -14.5% |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $10,833 | $16,229Best |
| Fund Family | Nomura Asset Management Co Ltd | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 28, 2023 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 29, 2023 to Sep 18, 2026 (2.8 years).
STAX 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 2.8 years both funds cover.
STAX vs VYM Performance
Nomura Tax-Free USA Short Term ETF (STAX) is an ETF from Nomura Asset Management Co Ltd and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year STAX returned +0.52% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, STAX is up 0.22% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.5% compared with 1.8% for STAX. 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 -1.4% for STAX 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
STAX charges 0.29% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $29 vs $4 annually, a gap of $25 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, STAX currently yields 3.15% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 22 holdings in STAX and 557 in VYM, totalling 27.5% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 22 positions we hold weights for in STAX and 557 in VYM, against full books of 93 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of STAX 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, STAX or VYM?
STAX has an expense ratio of 0.29% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $25 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, STAX or VYM?
Over the past year STAX returned +0.52% vs +15.34% 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, STAX or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 10.5% annualized versus 1.8% for STAX. Worst drawdown: STAX -1.4% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both STAX and VYM?
STAX 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, STAX or VYM?
STAX yields 3.15% while VYM yields 2.22%, so STAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than STAX?
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.