UTF vs VYM
Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund Inc vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, UTF or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM 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 | UTF | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.42% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $3,053.86 | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.97% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 311 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +8.57% | +12.29%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.52% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.88% | +17.42%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.44% | +12.12%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.8% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -76.7% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,032 | $17,718Best |
| Fund Family | Cohen & Steers Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 30, 2004 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 17, 2026 (19.8 years).
UTF 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
UTF vs VYM Performance
Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund Inc (UTF) is an ETF from Cohen & Steers Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UTF returned +9.52% while VYM returned +16.61%. Year to date, UTF is up 8.57% versus a gain of 12.29% for VYM.
Over three years, UTF compounded at +14.88% per year against +17.42% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +5.44% and +12.12% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.87% annualized vs +2.47%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UTF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.8% 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 -76.7% for UTF 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UTF charges 3.42% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $342 vs $4 annually, a gap of $338 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UTF currently yields 6.97% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 6.8% of VYM's money is in holdings UTF also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for UTF, our book for it lists positions totalling 129.0% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
VYM and UTF share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, UTF as of Mar 31, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
24 positions in common, counted across the 241 positions we hold weights for in UTF and 557 in VYM, against full books of 311 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in UTF | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 7.03% | 0.74% | 6.29% |
| NINisource Inc. | 4.23% | 0.09% | 4.14% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp | 3.07% | 0.40% | 2.67% |
| PPLPpl Corp (Utilities) | 2.93% | 0.11% | 2.82% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 2.19% | 0.70% | 1.49% |
| LNTAlliant Energy Corp. | 2.72% | 0.07% | 2.65% |
| SOSouthern Co. | 2.12% | 0.43% | 1.69% |
| PEGPublic Svc Ent Group | 2.13% | 0.16% | 1.97% |
| EVRGEvergy Inc. | 2.11% | 0.08% | 2.03% |
| NSCNorfolk Southern Corp | 1.87% | 0.31% | 1.56% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of UTF 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, UTF or VYM?
UTF has an expense ratio of 3.42% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $338 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UTF or VYM?
Over the past year UTF returned +9.52% vs +16.61% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), UTF annualized +2.47% vs +6.87% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UTF or VYM?
UTF has been the more volatile fund at 20.8% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: UTF -76.7% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both UTF and VYM?
UTF and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 UTF and VYM?
At least 6.8% of VYM's money is in holdings UTF also owns. Our book for UTF is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 24 positions in common, counted across the 241 positions we hold weights for in UTF and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, UTF or VYM?
UTF yields 6.97% while VYM yields 2.22%, so UTF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than UTF?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM 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.