VCLN vs VYM
Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, VCLN or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VCLN led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.5%.
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 | VCLN | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $5M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.94% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 46 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +5.71% | +10.23%Best |
| 1Y Return | +20.92%Best | +14.28% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.91%Best | +17.50% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.70% | +11.60%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 27.2% | 13.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.7% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,425 | $17,311Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 49.5% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Virtus Investment Partners | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 3, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 4, 2021 to Sep 23, 2026 (5.1 years).
VCLN 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 5.1 years both funds cover.
VCLN vs VYM Performance
Virtus Duff & Phelps Clean Energy ETF (VCLN) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VCLN returned +20.92% while VYM returned +14.28%. Year to date, VCLN is up 5.71% versus a gain of 10.23% for VYM.
Over three years, VCLN compounded at +17.91% per year against +17.50% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +2.70% and +11.60% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VCLN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.2% compared with 13.8% 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 -45.7% for VCLN and -15.8% 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 0.57. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VCLN 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, VCLN currently yields 1.94% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
7.5% of VCLN's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.3% of VYM's money is in holdings VCLN also owns.
VCLN and VYM share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in VCLN and 557 in VYM, against full books of 46 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 524 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for VCLN (95.8% of the fund), and 11 for VCLN that do not appear in VYM (35.6%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VCLN 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, VCLN or VYM?
VCLN 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, VCLN or VYM?
Over the past year VCLN returned +20.92% vs +14.28% for VYM, so VCLN leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VCLN or VYM?
VCLN has been the more volatile fund at 27.2% annualized versus 13.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VCLN -45.7% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both VCLN and VYM?
VCLN and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.57, 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 VCLN and VYM?
7.5% of VCLN's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.3% of VYM's is in holdings VCLN also owns. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in VCLN and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, VCLN or VYM?
VCLN yields 1.94% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than VCLN?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VCLN led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.