TBLU vs VYM
Tortoise Global Water Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, TBLU or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.5%.
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 | TBLU | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $56M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.49% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 64 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -1.82% | +10.96%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.82% | +15.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.30% | +17.78%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.04% | +12.05%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -37.6% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,615 | $17,663Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 57.5% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Tortoise Capital | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 14, 2017 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 15, 2017 to Sep 22, 2026 (9.6 years).
TBLU 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 9.6 years both funds cover.
TBLU vs VYM Performance
Tortoise Global Water Fund (TBLU) is an ETF from Tortoise Capital and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year TBLU returned -2.82% while VYM returned +15.42%. Year to date, TBLU is down 1.82% versus a gain of 10.96% for VYM.
Over three years, TBLU compounded at +11.30% per year against +17.78% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +3.04% and +12.05% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.53% annualized vs +8.57%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
TBLU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% 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 -37.6% for TBLU 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
TBLU charges 0.40% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $4 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TBLU currently yields 3.49% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
31.1% of TBLU's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.6% of VYM's money is in holdings TBLU also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
10 positions in common, counted across the 60 positions we hold weights for in TBLU and 557 in VYM, against full books of 64 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 518 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for TBLU (96.5% of the fund), and 26 for TBLU that do not appear in VYM (29.4%).
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 TBLU | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWKAmerican Water Works Co. Inc. | 8.01% | 0.11% | 7.90% |
| XYLXylem,Inc. | 7.24% | 0.11% | 7.13% |
| FERGFerguson Enterprises | 7.06% | 0.18% | 6.88% |
| IEXI D E X Corporation | 4.05% | 0.07% | 3.98% |
| AOSAo Smith Corp. | 1.15% | 0.03% | 1.12% |
| PRMBPrimo Brands Corp | 0.95% | 0.02% | 0.93% |
| FBINFortune Brands Innovations Inc | 0.89% | 0.02% | 0.87% |
| OTTROtter Tail Corp. | 0.65% | 0.01% | 0.64% |
| AWRAmerican States Water Co | 0.60% | 0.01% | 0.59% |
| CWTCalifornia Water Service Group | 0.52% | 0.01% | 0.51% |
31.1% of TBLU 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, TBLU or VYM?
TBLU has an expense ratio of 0.40% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, TBLU or VYM?
Over the past year TBLU returned -2.82% vs +15.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), TBLU annualized +8.57% vs +9.53% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, TBLU or VYM?
TBLU has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: TBLU -37.6% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both TBLU and VYM?
TBLU and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 TBLU and VYM?
31.1% of TBLU's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.6% of VYM's is in holdings TBLU also owns. They hold 10 positions in common, counted across the 60 positions we hold weights for in TBLU and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, TBLU or VYM?
TBLU yields 3.49% while VYM yields 2.22%, so TBLU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than TBLU?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.