USD vs VYM
ProShares Ultra Semiconductors vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, USD or VYM?
Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. USD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | USD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.6B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.36% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 51 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +44.52%Best | +12.87% |
| 1Y Return | +66.87%Best | +17.25% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +100.21%Best | +17.66% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +52.64%Best | +11.98% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 54.4% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -89.3% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $82,859Best | $17,608 |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Equity | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 30, 2007 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 1, 2007 to Sep 15, 2026 (19.6 years).
USD 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
USD vs VYM Performance
ProShares Ultra Semiconductors (USD) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year USD returned +66.87% while VYM returned +17.25%. Year to date, USD is up 44.52% versus a gain of 12.87% for VYM.
Over three years, USD compounded at +100.21% per year against +17.66% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +52.64% and +11.98% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, USD has the edge at +26.96% annualized vs +6.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
USD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 54.4% 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 -89.3% for USD 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USD charges 0.95% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $4 annually, a gap of $91 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USD currently yields 0.36% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 10.2% of VYM's money is in holdings USD also owns.
Stated as a floor: for USD, our book for it covers 65.1% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VYM and USD share little of their money.
9 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in USD and 557 in VYM, against full books of 51 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in USD | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 6.54% | 7.35% | 0.81% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 0.89% | 1.02% | 0.13% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 0.66% | 0.73% | 0.07% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 0.67% | 0.63% | 0.04% |
| NXPINxp Semiconductors Nv Sedol B505Pn7 | 0.21% | 0.24% | 0.03% |
| MCHPMicrochip Technology Inc. | 0.15% | 0.16% | 0.01% |
| SWKSSkyworks Solutions Inc. | 0.04% | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| AMKRAmkor Technology, Inc. | 0.02% | 0.03% | 0.01% |
| OLEDUniversal Display Corp | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of USD 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, USD or VYM?
USD has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $91 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, USD or VYM?
Over the past year USD returned +66.87% vs +17.25% for VYM, so USD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), USD annualized +26.96% vs +6.77% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, USD or VYM?
USD has been the more volatile fund at 54.4% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: USD -89.3% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both USD and VYM?
USD and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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 USD and VYM?
At least 10.2% of VYM's money is in holdings USD also owns. Our book for USD is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in USD and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, USD or VYM?
USD yields 0.36% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than USD?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. USD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.