VBK vs VYM
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, VBK or VYM?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VBK led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VBK is less concentrated, with 9.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | VBK | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $23.2B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 553 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +9.65% | +12.87%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.60% | +17.25%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.62% | +17.66%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.57% | +11.98%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.2% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.4% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,917 | $17,608Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.1%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2004 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 15, 2026 (19.8 years).
VBK 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.
VBK vs VYM Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF (VBK) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VBK returned +12.60% while VYM returned +17.25%. Year to date, VBK is up 9.65% versus a gain of 12.87% for VYM.
Over three years, VBK compounded at +15.62% per year against +17.66% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +3.57% and +11.98% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VBK has the edge at +8.74% annualized vs +6.90%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VBK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.2% compared with 14.5% 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 -59.4% for VBK 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VBK charges 0.05% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $4 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VBK currently yields 0.44% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
6.9% of VBK's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.4% of VYM's money is in holdings VBK also owns.
VBK and VYM share little of their money.
47 positions in common, counted across the 542 positions we hold weights for in VBK and 557 in VYM, against full books of 553 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 483 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for VBK (95.7% of the fund), and 478 for VBK that do not appear in VYM (85.5%).
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 VBK | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WSOWatsco Inc | 0.40% | 0.04% | 0.36% |
| TXRHTexas Roadhouse Inc | 0.35% | 0.05% | 0.30% |
| EQTEQT Corp. | 0.23% | 0.13% | 0.10% |
| DPZDomino's Pizza Inc | 0.27% | 0.04% | 0.23% |
| JKHYJack Henry & Associates Inc | 0.27% | 0.04% | 0.23% |
| HUBBHubbell Inc | 0.19% | 0.10% | 0.09% |
| ALBAlbemarle Corp. | 0.22% | 0.06% | 0.16% |
| MTCHMatch Group Inc | 0.24% | 0.04% | 0.20% |
| FDSFactset Research Systems Inc. | 0.23% | 0.04% | 0.19% |
| PRPermian Resource | 0.20% | 0.07% | 0.13% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VBK 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, VBK or VYM?
VBK has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VBK or VYM?
Over the past year VBK returned +12.60% vs +17.25% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VBK annualized +8.74% vs +6.90% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VBK or VYM?
VBK has been the more volatile fund at 20.2% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VBK -59.4% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both VBK and VYM?
VBK and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 VBK and VYM?
6.9% of VBK's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.4% of VYM's is in holdings VBK also owns. They hold 47 positions in common, counted across the 542 positions we hold weights for in VBK and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, VBK or VYM?
VBK yields 0.44% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than VBK?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VBK led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VBK is less concentrated, with 9.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.