STXK vs VYM
Strive Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, STXK or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. STXK is less concentrated, with 4.0% 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 | STXK | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $85M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.15% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 603 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +11.62% | +13.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.25% | +17.46%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.44% | +17.73%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.22% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.5% | 11.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -27.1% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.8 years | $15,529 | $16,382Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 4.0%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Strive Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2022 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 17, 2022 to Sep 14, 2026 (3.8 years).
STXK 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 3.8 years both funds cover.
STXK vs VYM Performance
Strive Small-Cap ETF (STXK) is an ETF from Strive Asset Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year STXK returned +14.25% while VYM returned +17.46%. Year to date, STXK is up 11.62% versus a gain of 13.08% for VYM.
Over three years, STXK compounded at +14.44% per year against +17.73% for VYM. Across the full 4-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +13.87% annualized vs +12.28%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
STXK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.5% compared with 11.4% 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 -27.1% for STXK 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
STXK charges 0.18% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $4 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, STXK currently yields 1.15% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
29.2% of STXK's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.7% of VYM's money is in holdings STXK also owns.
STXK and VYM share little of their money.
154 positions in common, counted across the 595 positions we hold weights for in STXK and 557 in VYM, against full books of 603 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 378 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for STXK (94.4% of the fund), and 422 for STXK that do not appear in VYM (68.1%).
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 STXK | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PBProsperity Bancshares | 0.37% | 0.03% | 0.34% |
| OASChord Energy Corp | 0.36% | 0.03% | 0.33% |
| TKRTimken Co | 0.33% | 0.04% | 0.29% |
| NOVNov Inc Common Stock | 0.33% | 0.03% | 0.30% |
| AVTAvnet Inc | 0.32% | 0.03% | 0.29% |
| FAFFirst American Corporation | 0.31% | 0.03% | 0.28% |
| PBFPbf Energy Inc | 0.31% | 0.03% | 0.28% |
| LWLambwestonholdings Inc. | 0.31% | 0.03% | 0.28% |
| THGHanover Insurance Group Inc | 0.31% | 0.03% | 0.28% |
| NEUNewmarket Corp | 0.31% | 0.02% | 0.29% |
29.2% of STXK 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, STXK or VYM?
STXK has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, STXK or VYM?
Over the past year STXK returned +14.25% vs +17.46% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), STXK annualized +12.28% vs +13.87% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, STXK or VYM?
STXK has been the more volatile fund at 18.5% annualized versus 11.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: STXK -27.1% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both STXK and VYM?
STXK and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 STXK and VYM?
29.2% of STXK's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.7% of VYM's is in holdings STXK also owns. They hold 154 positions in common, counted across the 595 positions we hold weights for in STXK and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, STXK or VYM?
STXK yields 1.15% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than STXK?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. STXK is less concentrated, with 4.0% 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.