USAI vs VYM
Pacer American Energy Infrastructure ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, USAI or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. USAI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.1%.
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 | USAI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $121M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.12% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 37 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +28.12%Best | +15.29% |
| 1Y Return | +27.34%Best | +22.23% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.35%Best | +18.81% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +21.15%Best | +12.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 28.4% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -69.3% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $26,099Best | $17,734 |
| Top 10 Weight | 61.1% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 12, 2017 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 13, 2017 to Sep 3, 2026 (8.7 years).
USAI 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 8.7 years both funds cover.
USAI vs VYM Performance
Pacer American Energy Infrastructure ETF (USAI) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year USAI returned +27.34% while VYM returned +22.23%. Year to date, USAI is up 28.12% versus a gain of 15.29% for VYM.
Over three years, USAI compounded at +25.35% per year against +18.81% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +21.15% and +12.14% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, USAI has the edge at +11.36% annualized vs +9.75%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
USAI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 28.4% compared with 15.1% 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 -69.3% for USAI 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USAI charges 0.75% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $4 annually, a gap of $71 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USAI currently yields 4.12% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
33.2% of USAI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.5% of VYM's money is in holdings USAI also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
10 positions in common, counted across the 35 positions we hold weights for in USAI and 603 in VYM, against full books of 37 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 560 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for USAI (95.9% of the fund), and 20 for USAI that do not appear in VYM (48.2%).
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 USAI | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 6.76% | 0.38% | 6.38% |
| EQTEQT Corp. | 4.71% | 0.13% | 4.58% |
| OKEOneok Inc. | 4.22% | 0.23% | 3.99% |
| TRGPTarga Resources Corp Preferred | 4.13% | 0.24% | 3.89% |
| KMIKinder Morgan Inc./de | 4.04% | 0.26% | 3.78% |
| EXEExpand Energy Corp | 3.19% | 0.09% | 3.10% |
| DTMDT Midstream Inc | 2.03% | 0.06% | 1.97% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 1.47% | 0.03% | 1.44% |
| RRCRange Resources Corp | 1.34% | 0.04% | 1.30% |
| AROCArchrock, Inc. | 1.32% | 0.03% | 1.29% |
33.2% of USAI 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, USAI or VYM?
USAI has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $71 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, USAI or VYM?
Over the past year USAI returned +27.34% vs +22.23% for VYM, so USAI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), USAI annualized +11.36% vs +9.75% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, USAI or VYM?
USAI has been the more volatile fund at 28.4% annualized versus 15.1% for VYM. Worst drawdown: USAI -69.3% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both USAI and VYM?
USAI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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 USAI and VYM?
33.2% of USAI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.5% of VYM's is in holdings USAI also owns. They hold 10 positions in common, counted across the 35 positions we hold weights for in USAI and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, USAI or VYM?
USAI yields 4.12% while VYM yields 2.24%, so USAI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than USAI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. USAI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.