TPZ vs VYM
Tortoise Essential Energy Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, TPZ or VYM?
Mid Cap Value 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 56.5%.
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 | TPZ | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $121M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.84% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 35 | 613 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.4% | 13.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -87.9% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 15.5 years | $34,218 | $44,308Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 56.5% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Tortoise Capital | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 29, 2009 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 609 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. TPZ has data through Jan 28, 2025 and VYM through Sep 29, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 15.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 29, 2009 to Jan 28, 2025 (15.5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
TPZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.4% 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 -87.9% for TPZ 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 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
TPZ charges 0.85% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $4 annually, a gap of $81 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TPZ currently yields 2.84% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
45.0% of TPZ's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.9% of VYM's money is in holdings TPZ also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
13 positions in common, counted across the 37 positions we hold weights for in TPZ and 557 in VYM, against full books of 35 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 515 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for TPZ (94.2% of the fund), and 20 for TPZ that do not appear in VYM (46.2%).
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 TPZ | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRGPTarga Resources Corp Preferred | 6.53% | 0.23% | 6.30% |
| ETREntergy Corp. | 6.03% | 0.20% | 5.83% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 5.74% | 0.35% | 5.39% |
| OKEOneok Inc. | 4.05% | 0.23% | 3.82% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 2.87% | 0.74% | 2.13% |
| CNPCenterpoint Energy Inc. | 3.39% | 0.11% | 3.28% |
| DTMDT Midstream Inc | 3.38% | 0.06% | 3.32% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 3.10% | 0.24% | 2.86% |
| WECWec Energy Group Inc. | 3.06% | 0.14% | 2.92% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 2.64% | 0.28% | 2.36% |
45.0% of TPZ 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, TPZ or VYM?
TPZ has an expense ratio of 0.85% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $81 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, TPZ or VYM?
TPZ has been the more volatile fund at 24.4% annualized versus 13.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: TPZ -87.9% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both TPZ and VYM?
TPZ and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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 TPZ and VYM?
45.0% of TPZ's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.9% of VYM's is in holdings TPZ also owns. They hold 13 positions in common, counted across the 37 positions we hold weights for in TPZ and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, TPZ or VYM?
TPZ yields 2.84% while VYM yields 2.22%, so TPZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than TPZ?
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 56.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.