UPAR vs VYM
UPAR Ultra Risk Parity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, UPAR or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.9%.
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 | UPAR | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.68% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $54M | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.38% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 154 | 610 |
| YTD Return | -0.12% | +16.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.16% | +18.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.75% | +20.46%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.54% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.5% | 13.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.0% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.9 years | $8,972 | $16,654Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 51.9% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Rpar ETF | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 3, 2022 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 4, 2022 to Nov 11, 2026 (4.9 years).
UPAR 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 4.9 years both funds cover.
UPAR vs VYM Performance
UPAR Ultra Risk Parity ETF (UPAR) is an ETF from Rpar ETF and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UPAR returned -0.16% while VYM returned +18.97%. Year to date, UPAR is down 0.12% versus a gain of 16.00% for VYM.
Over three years, UPAR compounded at +11.75% per year against +20.46% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UPAR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.5% compared with 13.8% 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 -39.0% for UPAR and -15.8% 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UPAR charges 0.68% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $68 vs $4 annually, a gap of $64 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UPAR currently yields 3.38% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
6.4% of UPAR's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 6.8% of VYM's money is in holdings UPAR also owns.
VYM and UPAR share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 50 days apart, UPAR as of Oct 20, 2026 and VYM as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
22 positions in common, counted across the 144 positions we hold weights for in UPAR and 602 in VYM, against full books of 154 and 610.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 555 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for UPAR (91.8% of the fund), and 38 for UPAR that do not appear in VYM (78.9%).
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 UPAR | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XOMExxonmobil Corp. | 1.96% | 2.70% | 0.74% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 1.16% | 1.54% | 0.38% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 0.46% | 0.65% | 0.19% |
| SCCOSouthern Copper Corp | 0.94% | 0.08% | 0.86% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 0.23% | 0.31% | 0.08% |
| DVNDevon Energy Corp. | 0.16% | 0.22% | 0.06% |
| OXYOccidental Petroleum Corp. | 0.19% | 0.18% | 0.01% |
| FANGDiamondback Energy Inc. | 0.17% | 0.15% | 0.02% |
| CFCf Industries Holdings Inc. | 0.18% | 0.08% | 0.10% |
| EQTEqt Corp | 0.10% | 0.13% | 0.03% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of UPAR 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, UPAR or VYM?
UPAR has an expense ratio of 0.68% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $64 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UPAR or VYM?
Over the past year UPAR returned -0.16% vs +18.97% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UPAR or VYM?
UPAR has been the more volatile fund at 19.5% annualized versus 13.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: UPAR -39.0% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both UPAR and VYM?
UPAR and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 UPAR and VYM?
6.8% of VYM's money is in holdings UPAR also owns. 6.8% of VYM's is in holdings UPAR also owns. They hold 22 positions in common, counted across the 144 positions we hold weights for in UPAR and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, UPAR or VYM?
UPAR yields 3.38% while VYM yields 2.23%, so UPAR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than UPAR?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.