VCR vs VYM
Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, VCR or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VCR led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.7%.
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 | VCR | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $6.6B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.73% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 356 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -2.93% | +13.75%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.74% | +19.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.23% | +18.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.35% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.4% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -62.7% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,373 | $17,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 55.7% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large 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 9, 2026 (19.8 years).
VCR 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.
VCR vs VYM Performance
Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VCR returned -2.74% while VYM returned +19.42%. Year to date, VCR is down 2.93% versus a gain of 13.75% for VYM.
Over three years, VCR compounded at +10.23% per year against +18.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +4.35% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VCR has the edge at +9.94% annualized vs +6.94%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VCR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.4% 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 -62.7% for VCR 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VCR charges 0.09% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $4 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VCR currently yields 0.73% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
25.8% of VCR's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 6.1% of VYM's money is in holdings VCR also owns.
VCR and VYM share little of their money.
69 positions in common, counted across the 278 positions we hold weights for in VCR and 603 in VYM, against full books of 356 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 500 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for VCR (91.2% of the fund), and 206 for VCR that do not appear in VYM (73.5%).
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 VCR | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 5.13% | 1.46% | 3.67% |
| MCDMcdonald'S Corp | 2.83% | 0.80% | 2.03% |
| LOWLowes Cos., Inc. | 1.83% | 0.51% | 1.32% |
| SBUXStarbucks Corp | 1.74% | 0.48% | 1.26% |
| FFord Motor Co | 0.84% | 0.23% | 0.61% |
| EBAYEbay Inc. | 0.79% | 0.21% | 0.58% |
| NKENike Inc | 0.76% | 0.20% | 0.56% |
| YUMYum! Brands, Inc. | 0.70% | 0.18% | 0.52% |
| GRMNGarminltd. | 0.62% | 0.16% | 0.46% |
| CCLCarnival Corporation Common Stock | 0.60% | 0.15% | 0.45% |
25.8% of VCR 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, VCR or VYM?
VCR has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VCR or VYM?
Over the past year VCR returned -2.74% vs +19.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VCR annualized +9.94% vs +6.94% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VCR or VYM?
VCR has been the more volatile fund at 20.4% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VCR -62.7% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both VCR and VYM?
VCR and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 VCR and VYM?
25.8% of VCR's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 6.1% of VYM's is in holdings VCR also owns. They hold 69 positions in common, counted across the 278 positions we hold weights for in VCR and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, VCR or VYM?
VCR yields 0.73% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than VCR?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VCR led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.