STEW vs VYM
SRH Total Return Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, STEW or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | STEW | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.28% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.3B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.20% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 24 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +3.90% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.69% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.49% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.35% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.5% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -78.2% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,363 | $17,845Best |
| Fund Family | Paralel Advisors LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 31, 2002 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 4, 2026 (19.8 years).
STEW 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
STEW vs VYM Performance
SRH Total Return Fund (STEW) is an ETF from Paralel Advisors LLC and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year STEW returned +3.69% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, STEW is up 3.90% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, STEW compounded at +15.49% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +10.35% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +7.00% annualized vs +3.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
STEW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.5% compared with 14.5% 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 -78.2% for STEW and -58.8% 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
STEW charges 2.28% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $228 vs $4 annually, a gap of $224 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, STEW currently yields 3.20% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 8.1% of VYM's money is in holdings STEW also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for STEW, our book for it lists positions totalling 111.3% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
VYM and STEW share little of their money.
9 positions in common, counted across the 23 positions we hold weights for in STEW and 602 in VYM, against full books of 24 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in STEW | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 14.28% | 3.38% | 10.90% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc | 5.59% | 1.93% | 3.66% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 4.07% | 2.01% | 2.06% |
| EVREvercore Inc | 4.75% | 0.05% | 4.70% |
| EBAYEbay Inc | 3.30% | 0.21% | 3.09% |
| TRVTravelers Cos., Inc. | 2.98% | 0.29% | 2.69% |
| YUMYum! Brands, Inc. | 2.92% | 0.18% | 2.74% |
| SWKStanley Black & Decker Inc. | 1.95% | 0.06% | 1.89% |
| IBPInstalled Building Products Inc | 1.61% | 0.02% | 1.59% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of STEW 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, STEW or VYM?
STEW has an expense ratio of 2.28% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $224 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, STEW or VYM?
Over the past year STEW returned +3.69% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), STEW annualized +3.99% vs +7.00% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, STEW or VYM?
STEW has been the more volatile fund at 18.5% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: STEW -78.2% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both STEW and VYM?
STEW 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.
What is the holdings overlap between STEW and VYM?
At least 8.1% of VYM's money is in holdings STEW also owns. Our book for STEW is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 23 positions we hold weights for in STEW and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, STEW or VYM?
STEW yields 3.20% while VYM yields 2.24%, so STEW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than STEW?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.