STXM vs VYM
Strive Mid Cap ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, STXM or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. STXM is less concentrated, with 6.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | STXM | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $16M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.04% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 407 | 613 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6% | 10.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.8% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 2 years | $11,764 | $13,103Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 6.7%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Strive Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 11, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 168 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. STXM has data through Mar 27, 2026 and VYM through Sep 11, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 10, 2024 to Mar 27, 2026 (2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
STXM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 10.8% 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 -23.8% for STXM 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
STXM 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, STXM currently yields 1.04% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
26.4% of STXM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 4.3% of VYM's money is in holdings STXM also owns.
STXM and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 151 days apart, STXM as of Jan 30, 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.
113 positions in common, counted across the 395 positions we hold weights for in STXM and 603 in VYM, against full books of 407 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 456 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for STXM (93.2% of the fund), and 269 for STXM that do not appear in VYM (67.6%).
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 STXM | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEYKeycorp | 0.53% | 0.09% | 0.44% |
| CHRWCh Robinson Worldwide Inc. | 0.50% | 0.09% | 0.41% |
| SNASnap-on Inc (sna Un) | 0.48% | 0.08% | 0.40% |
| BGBunge Global Sa | 0.42% | 0.06% | 0.36% |
| RSReliance Steel + Alum | 0.39% | 0.08% | 0.31% |
| ALLEAllegion Plc | 0.40% | 0.05% | 0.35% |
| FNFFidelity National Financial Inc. | 0.40% | 0.05% | 0.35% |
| DKSDick's Sporting Goods Inc | 0.38% | 0.06% | 0.32% |
| NLOKGen Digital Inc | 0.38% | 0.06% | 0.32% |
| EWBCEast West Bancorp, Inc. | 0.37% | 0.07% | 0.30% |
26.4% of STXM 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, STXM or VYM?
STXM 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 is riskier, STXM or VYM?
STXM has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 10.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: STXM -23.8% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both STXM and VYM?
STXM and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between STXM and VYM?
26.4% of STXM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 4.3% of VYM's is in holdings STXM also owns. They hold 113 positions in common, counted across the 395 positions we hold weights for in STXM and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, STXM or VYM?
STXM yields 1.04% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than STXM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. STXM is less concentrated, with 6.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.