UCON vs VYM
First Trust Smith Unconstrained Bond ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, UCON or VYM?
Short Term Low Quality 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 | UCON | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.86% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $3.3B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.20% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 951 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -0.48% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.91% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.04% | +17.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.46% | +12.30%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.5%Best | 15.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -15.3%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,292 | $17,861Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Low Quality | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 4, 2018 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 5, 2018 to Sep 18, 2026 (8.3 years).
UCON 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 8.3 years both funds cover.
UCON vs VYM Performance
First Trust Smith Unconstrained Bond ETF (UCON) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UCON returned +0.91% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, UCON is down 0.48% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, UCON compounded at +5.04% per year against +17.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +2.46% and +12.30% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.97% annualized vs +2.38%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.4% compared with 4.5% for UCON. 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 -15.3% for UCON 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 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UCON charges 0.86% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $86 vs $4 annually, a gap of $82 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UCON currently yields 5.20% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.9% of VYM's money is in holdings UCON also owns.
Stated as a floor: for UCON, our book for it covers 42.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 243 positions we hold weights for in UCON and 557 in VYM, against full books of 951 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in UCON | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCitigroup Inc Variable Rate | 0.14% | 0.89% | 0.75% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of UCON 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, UCON or VYM?
UCON has an expense ratio of 0.86% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $82 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UCON or VYM?
Over the past year UCON returned +0.91% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), UCON annualized +2.38% vs +9.97% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UCON or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 15.4% annualized versus 4.5% for UCON. Worst drawdown: UCON -15.3% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both UCON and VYM?
UCON and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, 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, UCON or VYM?
UCON yields 5.20% while VYM yields 2.22%, so UCON currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than UCON?
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.