USCL vs VYM
iShares Climate Conscious & Transition MSCI USA ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, USCL or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. USCL led over the full window, VYM over 1Y and 3Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.3%.
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 | USCL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.08% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.6B | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.04% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 791 | 610 |
| YTD Return | +8.92% | +16.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.27% | +18.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.62% | +20.46%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.54% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.6% | 11.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.0% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.4 years | $17,692Best | $17,188 |
| Top 10 Weight | 46.3% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 6, 2023 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 8, 2023 to Nov 11, 2026 (3.4 years).
USCL 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 3.4 years both funds cover.
USCL vs VYM Performance
iShares Climate Conscious & Transition MSCI USA ETF (USCL) 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 USCL returned +8.27% while VYM returned +18.97%. Year to date, USCL is up 8.92% versus a gain of 16.00% for VYM.
Over three years, USCL compounded at +19.62% per year against +20.46% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
USCL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.6% compared with 11.3% 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 -19.0% for USCL and -14.5% 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 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USCL charges 0.08% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $8 vs $4 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USCL currently yields 1.04% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
29.4% of USCL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 80.8% of VYM's money is in holdings USCL also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside USCL. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, USCL as of Oct 16, 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.
190 positions in common, counted across the 392 positions we hold weights for in USCL and 602 in VYM, against full books of 791 and 610.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 388 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for USCL (18.0% of the fund), and 197 for USCL that do not appear in VYM (70.0%).
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 USCL | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.87% | 6.94% | 4.07% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.23% | 3.83% | 2.60% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.12% | 2.58% | 1.46% |
| XOMExxonmobil Corp. | 0.67% | 2.70% | 2.03% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.92% | 1.83% | 0.91% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.82% | 1.76% | 0.94% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.67% | 1.47% | 0.80% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 0.46% | 1.65% | 1.19% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.66% | 1.42% | 0.76% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.65% | 1.39% | 0.74% |
80.8% of VYM is already inside USCL.
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, USCL or VYM?
USCL has an expense ratio of 0.08% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, USCL or VYM?
Over the past year USCL returned +8.27% 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, USCL or VYM?
USCL has been the more volatile fund at 12.6% annualized versus 11.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: USCL -19.0% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both USCL and VYM?
USCL and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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 USCL and VYM?
80.8% of VYM's money is in holdings USCL also owns. 80.8% of VYM's is in holdings USCL also owns. They hold 190 positions in common, counted across the 392 positions we hold weights for in USCL and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, USCL or VYM?
USCL yields 1.04% while VYM yields 2.23%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than USCL?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. USCL led over the full window, VYM over 1Y and 3Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.