SUSA vs VYM
iShares ESG Optimized MSCI USA ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SUSA or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SUSA led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 31.8%.
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 | SUSA | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $4.0B | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.82% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 208 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +13.27%Best | +10.00% |
| 1Y Return | +16.17%Best | +13.75% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.46%Best | +18.81% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.77%Best | +11.63% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -54.9%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,443Best | $17,334 |
| Top 10 Weight | 31.8% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 24, 2005 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Oct 2, 2026 (19.9 years).
SUSA 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 19.9 years both funds cover.
SUSA vs VYM Performance
iShares ESG Optimized MSCI USA ETF (SUSA) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SUSA returned +16.17% while VYM returned +13.75%. Year to date, SUSA is up 13.27% versus a gain of 10.00% for VYM.
Over three years, SUSA compounded at +22.46% per year against +18.81% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +11.77% and +11.63% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, SUSA has the edge at +9.15% annualized vs +6.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SUSA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 14.6% 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 -54.9% for SUSA 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SUSA charges 0.25% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $4 annually, a gap of $21 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SUSA currently yields 0.82% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
34.5% of SUSA's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 41.0% of VYM's money is in holdings SUSA also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
84 positions in common, counted across the 205 positions we hold weights for in SUSA and 557 in VYM, against full books of 208 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 445 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SUSA (56.3% of the fund), and 116 for SUSA that do not appear in VYM (63.8%).
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 SUSA | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.63% | 7.35% | 4.72% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.77% | 1.86% | 1.09% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 1.01% | 1.34% | 0.33% |
| MSMorgan Stanley | 1.30% | 0.96% | 0.34% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.73% | 1.37% | 0.64% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.69% | 1.38% | 0.69% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.51% | 1.50% | 0.99% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.52% | 1.31% | 0.79% |
| BKBank Of New York Mellon Corp | 1.13% | 0.44% | 0.69% |
| HIGHartford Financial Services Group Inc. | 1.34% | 0.16% | 1.18% |
41.0% of VYM is already inside SUSA.
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, SUSA or VYM?
SUSA has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $21 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SUSA or VYM?
Over the past year SUSA returned +16.17% vs +13.75% for VYM, so SUSA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), SUSA annualized +9.15% vs +6.74% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SUSA or VYM?
SUSA has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SUSA -54.9% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both SUSA and VYM?
SUSA and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, 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 SUSA and VYM?
41.0% of VYM's money is in holdings SUSA also owns. 41.0% of VYM's is in holdings SUSA also owns. They hold 84 positions in common, counted across the 205 positions we hold weights for in SUSA and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SUSA or VYM?
SUSA yields 0.82% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SUSA?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SUSA led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 31.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.