UAPR vs VYM
Innovator US Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - April vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, UAPR 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.
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 | UAPR | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $161M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 16 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +8.73% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.64% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.72% | +17.99%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.63% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.2%Best | 15.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.6%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,785 | $17,750Best |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 1, 2019 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 1, 2019 to Sep 10, 2026 (7.4 years).
UAPR 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 7.4 years both funds cover.
UAPR vs VYM Performance
Innovator US Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - April (UAPR) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UAPR returned +11.64% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, UAPR is up 8.73% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, UAPR compounded at +10.72% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +6.63% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +11.13% annualized vs +5.09%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 6.2% for UAPR. 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 -14.6% for UAPR 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 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UAPR charges 0.79% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $4 annually, a gap of $75 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UAPR currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in UAPR and 603 in VYM, totalling 108.6% and 99.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 66 days apart, UAPR as of Sep 4, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in UAPR and 603 in VYM, against full books of 16 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of UAPR 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, UAPR or VYM?
UAPR has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $75 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UAPR or VYM?
Over the past year UAPR returned +11.64% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), UAPR annualized +5.09% vs +11.13% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UAPR or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 6.2% for UAPR. Worst drawdown: UAPR -14.6% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both UAPR and VYM?
UAPR and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, UAPR or VYM?
UAPR yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than UAPR?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.