USNG vs VYM
Amplify Samsung US Natural Gas Infrastructure ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, USNG or VYM?
USNG has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. USNG led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.7%.
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 | USNG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $10M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.52% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 27 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +27.98%Best | +11.35% |
| 1Y Return | +31.18%Best | +15.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.30% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.2% | 9.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -11.9% | -6.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $14,347Best | $12,562 |
| Top 10 Weight | 62.7% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Amplify ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 20, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 20, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.3 years).
USNG 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 1.3 years both funds cover.
USNG vs VYM Performance
Amplify Samsung US Natural Gas Infrastructure ETF (USNG) is an ETF from Amplify ETFs and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year USNG returned +31.18% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, USNG is up 27.98% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
USNG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.2% compared with 9.4% 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 -11.9% for USNG and -6.7% 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 0.38. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USNG charges 0.59% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $4 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USNG currently yields 1.52% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
39.3% of USNG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.8% of VYM's money is in holdings USNG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
13 positions in common, counted across the 26 positions we hold weights for in USNG and 557 in VYM, against full books of 27 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 516 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for USNG (95.3% of the fund), and 11 for USNG that do not appear in VYM (50.1%).
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 USNG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 8.73% | 0.35% | 8.38% |
| KMIKinder Morgan Inc./de | 7.48% | 0.25% | 7.23% |
| TRGPTarga Resources Corp Preferred | 4.17% | 0.23% | 3.94% |
| DTMDT Midstream Inc | 3.80% | 0.06% | 3.74% |
| AROCArchrock, Inc. | 3.31% | 0.02% | 3.29% |
| GLNGGolar Lng Limited Ordinary Shares | 2.36% | 0.02% | 2.34% |
| PPLPpl Corp (Utilities) | 1.91% | 0.11% | 1.80% |
| APDAir Products & Chemicals Inc. | 1.62% | 0.26% | 1.36% |
| 0QQA:PAFlex Lng Ltd | 1.85% | 0.00% | 1.85% |
| WORWorthington Enterprises, Inc. | 1.77% | 0.01% | 1.76% |
39.3% of USNG 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, USNG or VYM?
USNG has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, USNG or VYM?
Over the past year USNG returned +31.18% vs +15.34% for VYM, so USNG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), USNG annualized +32.00% vs +19.18% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, USNG or VYM?
USNG has been the more volatile fund at 16.2% annualized versus 9.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: USNG -11.9% vs VYM -6.7%.
Should I hold both USNG and VYM?
USNG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.38, 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 USNG and VYM?
39.3% of USNG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.8% of VYM's is in holdings USNG also owns. They hold 13 positions in common, counted across the 26 positions we hold weights for in USNG and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, USNG or VYM?
USNG yields 1.52% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than USNG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. USNG led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.