SYLD vs VYM
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SYLD or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SYLD led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. SYLD is less concentrated, with 13.4% 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 | SYLD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.0B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.75% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 100 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +23.46%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +25.07%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.20% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.35% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.8% | 13.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.4% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,635 | $17,845Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 13.4%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Cambria Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 13, 2013 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 14, 2013 to Sep 4, 2026 (13.3 years).
SYLD 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 13.3 years both funds cover.
SYLD vs VYM Performance
Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF (SYLD) is an ETF from Cambria Investment Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SYLD returned +25.07% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, SYLD is up 23.46% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, SYLD compounded at +13.20% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +9.35% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, SYLD has the edge at +12.60% annualized vs +9.50%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SYLD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.8% compared with 13.4% 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 -45.4% for SYLD and -35.7% 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SYLD charges 0.59% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $4 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SYLD currently yields 1.75% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
70.2% of SYLD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.7% of VYM's money is in holdings SYLD also owns.
Most of SYLD is already inside VYM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
70 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in SYLD and 603 in VYM, against full books of 100 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 500 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SYLD (87.8% of the fund), and 28 for SYLD that do not appear in VYM (28.8%).
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 SYLD | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.03% | 2.36% | 1.33% |
| VZVerizon Communic | 0.95% | 0.74% | 0.21% |
| MANManpowergroup Inc | 1.56% | 0.01% | 1.55% |
| PFEPfizer Inc | 0.98% | 0.57% | 0.41% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 1.00% | 0.53% | 0.47% |
| VLOValero Energy | 1.16% | 0.32% | 0.84% |
| NEMNewmont Corp Common | 1.03% | 0.41% | 0.62% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 1.12% | 0.31% | 0.81% |
| CMCSAComcast Corp-class A Cmcsa | 1.02% | 0.36% | 0.66% |
| AMPAmeriprise Financial Inc | 1.14% | 0.17% | 0.97% |
70.2% of SYLD 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, SYLD or VYM?
SYLD has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SYLD or VYM?
Over the past year SYLD returned +25.07% vs +20.84% for VYM, so SYLD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), SYLD annualized +12.60% vs +9.50% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SYLD or VYM?
SYLD has been the more volatile fund at 19.8% annualized versus 13.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SYLD -45.4% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both SYLD and VYM?
SYLD and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 SYLD and VYM?
70.2% of SYLD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.7% of VYM's is in holdings SYLD also owns. They hold 70 positions in common, counted across the 99 positions we hold weights for in SYLD and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SYLD or VYM?
SYLD yields 1.75% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SYLD?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SYLD led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. SYLD is less concentrated, with 13.4% 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.