USPX vs VYM
Franklin US Equity Index ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, USPX or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
USPX has a lower expense ratio. USPX led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%.
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 | USPX | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.04% |
| AUM | $2.1B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 487 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +12.70%Best | +10.23% |
| 1Y Return | +16.20%Best | +14.28% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.61%Best | +17.50% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.47%Best | +11.60% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.0%Best | 14.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -31.2%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,996Best | $17,311 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.6% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 1, 2016 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 3, 2016 to Sep 23, 2026 (10.3 years).
USPX 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 10.3 years both funds cover.
USPX vs VYM Performance
Franklin US Equity Index ETF (USPX) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year USPX returned +16.20% while VYM returned +14.28%. Year to date, USPX is up 12.70% versus a gain of 10.23% for VYM.
Over three years, USPX compounded at +22.61% per year against +17.50% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +12.47% and +11.60% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, USPX has the edge at +10.79% annualized vs +9.76%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.2% compared with 14.0% for USPX. 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 -31.2% for USPX 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USPX charges 0.03% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $4 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USPX currently yields 1.06% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
33.0% of USPX's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 87.3% of VYM's money is in holdings USPX also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside USPX. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
213 positions in common, counted across the 469 positions we hold weights for in USPX and 557 in VYM, against full books of 487 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 317 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for USPX (10.1% of the fund), and 232 for USPX that do not appear in VYM (65.7%).
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 USPX | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.61% | 7.35% | 4.74% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.45% | 3.82% | 2.37% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.02% | 2.63% | 1.61% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.97% | 2.51% | 1.54% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.66% | 1.86% | 1.20% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.69% | 1.80% | 1.11% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 0.62% | 1.66% | 1.04% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.58% | 1.48% | 0.90% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.56% | 1.50% | 0.94% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.53% | 1.52% | 0.99% |
87.3% of VYM is already inside USPX.
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, USPX or VYM?
USPX has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VYM charges 0.04%. USPX is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, USPX or VYM?
Over the past year USPX returned +16.20% vs +14.28% for VYM, so USPX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), USPX annualized +10.79% vs +9.76% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, USPX or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 14.2% annualized versus 14.0% for USPX. Worst drawdown: USPX -31.2% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both USPX and VYM?
USPX and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 USPX and VYM?
87.3% of VYM's money is in holdings USPX also owns. 87.3% of VYM's is in holdings USPX also owns. They hold 213 positions in common, counted across the 469 positions we hold weights for in USPX and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, USPX or VYM?
USPX yields 1.06% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than USPX?
USPX has a lower expense ratio. USPX led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.