TUGN vs VYM
STF Tactical Growth & Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, TUGN or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. TUGN led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 45.6%.
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 | TUGN | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $85M | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.55% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 102 | 608 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% | 14.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.4% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.3 years | $17,995Best | $17,706 |
| Top 10 Weight | 45.6% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Gateway Credit Partners | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 18, 2022 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 43 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. TUGN has data through Aug 20, 2026 and VYM through Oct 2, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 19, 2022 to Aug 20, 2026 (4.3 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
TUGN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% compared with 14.0% 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 -23.4% for TUGN and -14.5% 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 0.40. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
TUGN charges 0.65% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $4 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TUGN currently yields 11.55% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
17.8% of TUGN's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 19.5% of VYM's money is in holdings TUGN also owns.
VYM and TUGN share little of their money.
28 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in TUGN and 557 in VYM, against full books of 102 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 500 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for TUGN (77.5% of the fund), and 67 for TUGN that do not appear in VYM (75.9%).
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 TUGN | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.18% | 7.35% | 4.17% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 2.22% | 1.86% | 0.36% |
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.18% | 0.90% | 0.28% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 1.01% | 0.78% | 0.23% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 1.00% | 0.77% | 0.23% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 0.84% | 0.63% | 0.21% |
| GILDGilead Sciences | 0.80% | 0.66% | 0.14% |
| TMUST-Mobile Usa Inc Esrw Usd Npv Ref Sm#585558 | 1.05% | 0.34% | 0.71% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 0.33% | 1.02% | 0.69% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 0.46% | 0.73% | 0.27% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of TUGN and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, TUGN or VYM?
TUGN has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, TUGN or VYM?
TUGN has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 14.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: TUGN -23.4% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both TUGN and VYM?
TUGN and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.40, 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 TUGN and VYM?
19.5% of VYM's money is in holdings TUGN also owns. 19.5% of VYM's is in holdings TUGN also owns. They hold 28 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in TUGN and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, TUGN or VYM?
TUGN yields 11.55% while VYM yields 2.22%, so TUGN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than TUGN?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. TUGN led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 45.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.