VEGI vs VYM
iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, VEGI or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VEGI led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 65.7%.
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 | VEGI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $153M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.89% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 166 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +25.81%Best | +14.33% |
| 1Y Return | +23.36%Best | +20.01% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.85% | +18.43%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.51% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1% | 13.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.7% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,707 | $17,750Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 65.7% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 31, 2012 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 2, 2012 to Sep 8, 2026 (14.6 years).
VEGI 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 14.6 years both funds cover.
VEGI vs VYM Performance
iShares MSCI Agriculture Producers ETF (VEGI) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VEGI returned +23.36% while VYM returned +20.01%. Year to date, VEGI is up 25.81% versus a gain of 14.33% for VYM.
Over three years, VEGI compounded at +9.85% per year against +18.43% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +6.51% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.20% annualized vs +5.32%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VEGI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 13.0% 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 -39.7% for VEGI 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VEGI charges 0.39% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $4 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VEGI currently yields 1.89% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
21.8% of VEGI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.5% of VYM's money is in holdings VEGI also owns.
VEGI and VYM share little of their money.
12 positions in common, counted across the 129 positions we hold weights for in VEGI and 602 in VYM, against full books of 166 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 558 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for VEGI (96.8% of the fund), and 9 for VEGI that do not appear in VYM (41.0%).
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 VEGI | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADMArcher-Daniels-Midland Co. | 7.23% | 0.15% | 7.08% |
| CFCf Industries Ho | 3.41% | 0.07% | 3.34% |
| BGBunge Global Sa Common Shares | 2.53% | 0.06% | 2.47% |
| TTCToro Co/the | 1.80% | 0.04% | 1.76% |
| MOSMosaic Co. | 1.35% | 0.03% | 1.32% |
| LWLamb Weston Holdings Inc. | 1.31% | 0.02% | 1.29% |
| INGRIngredion Inc | 1.24% | 0.02% | 1.22% |
| AGCOAgco Corp | 1.20% | 0.03% | 1.17% |
| CALMCal-maine Foods Inc | 0.68% | 0.01% | 0.67% |
| SMGScotts Miracle-Gro Company | 0.56% | 0.01% | 0.55% |
21.8% of VEGI 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, VEGI or VYM?
VEGI has an expense ratio of 0.39% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VEGI or VYM?
Over the past year VEGI returned +23.36% vs +20.01% for VYM, so VEGI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), VEGI annualized +5.32% vs +10.20% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VEGI or VYM?
VEGI has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 13.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VEGI -39.7% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both VEGI and VYM?
VEGI 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 VEGI and VYM?
21.8% of VEGI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.5% of VYM's is in holdings VEGI also owns. They hold 12 positions in common, counted across the 129 positions we hold weights for in VEGI and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, VEGI or VYM?
VEGI yields 1.89% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than VEGI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VEGI led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 65.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.