THEQ vs VYM
T. Rowe Price Hedged Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, THEQ or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 90.2%.
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 | THEQ | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.46% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $39M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.73% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 120 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +6.49% | +11.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.81% | +16.24%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.24% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.86% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.2%Best | 9.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.1%Best | -11.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $12,058 | $12,851Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 90.2% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | T.Rowe Price | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 26, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 27, 2025 to Sep 16, 2026 (1.5 years).
THEQ 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
THEQ vs VYM Performance
T. Rowe Price Hedged Equity ETF (THEQ) is an ETF from T.Rowe Price and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year THEQ returned +8.81% while VYM returned +16.24%. Year to date, THEQ is up 6.49% versus a gain of 11.71% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 9.8% compared with 8.2% for THEQ. 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 -8.1% for THEQ and -11.3% 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
THEQ charges 0.46% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $46 vs $4 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, THEQ currently yields 0.73% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
11.7% of THEQ's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 40.1% of VYM's money is in holdings THEQ also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
52 positions in common, counted across the 110 positions we hold weights for in THEQ and 557 in VYM, against full books of 120 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 476 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for THEQ (57.0% of the fund), and 53 for THEQ that do not appear in VYM (87.2%).
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 THEQ | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.08% | 7.35% | 7.27% |
| WECWec Energy Group Inc. | 5.94% | 0.14% | 5.80% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.15% | 2.63% | 2.48% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.22% | 2.51% | 2.29% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.26% | 1.86% | 1.60% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.02% | 1.80% | 1.78% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.09% | 1.52% | 1.43% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.27% | 1.31% | 1.04% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.19% | 1.37% | 1.18% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.15% | 1.38% | 1.23% |
40.1% of VYM is already inside THEQ.
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, THEQ or VYM?
THEQ has an expense ratio of 0.46% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, THEQ or VYM?
Over the past year THEQ returned +8.81% vs +16.24% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), THEQ annualized +13.29% vs +18.20% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, THEQ or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 9.8% annualized versus 8.2% for THEQ. Worst drawdown: THEQ -8.1% vs VYM -11.3%.
Should I hold both THEQ and VYM?
THEQ and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 THEQ and VYM?
40.1% of VYM's money is in holdings THEQ also owns. 40.1% of VYM's is in holdings THEQ also owns. They hold 52 positions in common, counted across the 110 positions we hold weights for in THEQ and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, THEQ or VYM?
THEQ yields 0.73% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than THEQ?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 90.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.