USA vs VYM
Liberty All-Star Equity Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, USA or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. USA is less concentrated, with 25.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | USA | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.92% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.1B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.81% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 139 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +0.91% | +9.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.85% | +13.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.02% | +17.30%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.48% | +11.45%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.5% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -74.8% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,762 | $17,195Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.0%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Liberty All Star Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 31, 1986 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 24, 2026 (19.9 years).
USA 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 19.9 years both funds cover.
USA vs VYM Performance
Liberty All-Star Equity Fund (USA) is an ETF from Liberty All Star Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year USA returned +0.85% while VYM returned +13.77%. Year to date, USA is up 0.91% versus a gain of 9.71% for VYM.
Over three years, USA compounded at +10.02% per year against +17.30% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +1.48% and +11.45% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.73% annualized vs +1.21%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
USA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.5% compared with 14.6% 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 -74.8% for USA and -58.8% 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USA charges 0.92% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $92 vs $4 annually, a gap of $88 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USA currently yields 9.81% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
41.3% of USA's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 32.1% of VYM's money is in holdings USA also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
66 positions in common, counted across the 147 positions we hold weights for in USA and 557 in VYM, against full books of 139 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 462 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for USA (65.0% of the fund), and 64 for USA that do not appear in VYM (50.9%).
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 USA | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.29% | 7.35% | 6.06% |
| COFCapital One Financial Corp. | 2.32% | 0.53% | 1.79% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.87% | 1.52% | 0.65% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 0.67% | 1.66% | 0.99% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 1.14% | 1.07% | 0.07% |
| CDWCDW Corporation | 1.96% | 0.08% | 1.88% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.37% | 1.48% | 1.11% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.45% | 1.38% | 0.93% |
| ORCLOracle Corp - Common | 0.90% | 0.90% | 0.00% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.41% | 1.31% | 0.90% |
41.3% of USA is already inside VYM.
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, USA or VYM?
USA has an expense ratio of 0.92% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $88 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, USA or VYM?
Over the past year USA returned +0.85% vs +13.77% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), USA annualized +1.21% vs +6.73% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, USA or VYM?
USA has been the more volatile fund at 20.5% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: USA -74.8% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both USA and VYM?
USA and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 USA and VYM?
41.3% of USA's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 32.1% of VYM's is in holdings USA also owns. They hold 66 positions in common, counted across the 147 positions we hold weights for in USA and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, USA or VYM?
USA yields 9.81% while VYM yields 2.22%, so USA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than USA?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. USA is less concentrated, with 25.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.