URTH vs VYM
iShares MSCI World ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, URTH or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. URTH led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y.
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 | URTH | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.24% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $8.2B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.36% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,310 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +11.12% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.47% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.58%Best | +17.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.02% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.0% | 13.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.0%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,866 | $17,750Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 10, 2012 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 12, 2012 to Sep 10, 2026 (14.7 years).
URTH 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 14.7 years both funds cover.
URTH vs VYM Performance
iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year URTH returned +17.47% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, URTH is up 11.12% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, URTH compounded at +19.58% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +11.02% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, URTH has the edge at +10.68% annualized vs +10.15%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
URTH has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.0% compared with 13.0% 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 -34.0% for URTH 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
URTH charges 0.24% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $24 vs $4 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, URTH currently yields 1.36% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 84.6% of VYM's money is in holdings URTH also owns.
Stated as a floor: for URTH, our book for it covers 94.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of VYM is already inside URTH. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
207 positions in common, counted across the 1,053 positions we hold weights for in URTH and 603 in VYM, against full books of 1,310 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in URTH | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.87% | 7.29% | 5.42% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 1.01% | 3.38% | 2.37% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson | 0.69% | 2.54% | 1.85% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.63% | 2.36% | 1.73% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.50% | 2.01% | 1.51% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.50% | 1.93% | 1.43% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.50% | 1.85% | 1.35% |
| BACBank Of America Corp. | 0.45% | 1.56% | 1.11% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Inc. | 0.42% | 1.56% | 1.14% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 0.39% | 1.46% | 1.07% |
84.6% of VYM is already inside URTH.
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, URTH or VYM?
URTH has an expense ratio of 0.24% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, URTH or VYM?
Over the past year URTH returned +17.47% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), URTH annualized +10.68% vs +10.15% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, URTH or VYM?
URTH has been the more volatile fund at 14.0% annualized versus 13.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: URTH -34.0% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both URTH and VYM?
URTH and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 URTH and VYM?
At least 84.6% of VYM's money is in holdings URTH also owns. Our book for URTH is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 207 positions in common, counted across the 1,053 positions we hold weights for in URTH and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, URTH or VYM?
URTH yields 1.36% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than URTH?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. URTH led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.