VMAX vs VYM
Hartford US Value ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, VMAX or VYM?
VMAX has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VMAX led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. VMAX is less concentrated, with 20.4% 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 | VMAX | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $50M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.80% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 142 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +18.93%Best | +12.87% |
| 1Y Return | +23.34%Best | +17.25% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.66% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.98% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.0% | 10.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.1% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $17,199Best | $16,352 |
| Top 10 Weight | 20.4%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Hartford Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 5, 2023 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 6, 2023 to Sep 15, 2026 (2.8 years).
VMAX 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 2.8 years both funds cover.
VMAX vs VYM Performance
Hartford US Value ETF (VMAX) is an ETF from Hartford Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VMAX returned +23.34% while VYM returned +17.25%. Year to date, VMAX is up 18.93% versus a gain of 12.87% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VMAX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.0% compared with 10.2% 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 -19.1% for VMAX and -14.5% 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VMAX charges 0.29% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $29 vs $4 annually, a gap of $25 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VMAX currently yields 1.80% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
73.5% of VMAX's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 37.7% of VYM's money is in holdings VMAX also owns.
Most of VMAX is already inside VYM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
96 positions in common, counted across the 140 positions we hold weights for in VMAX and 557 in VYM, against full books of 142 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 432 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for VMAX (59.4% of the fund), and 41 for VMAX that do not appear in VYM (26.1%).
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 VMAX | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.96% | 3.82% | 2.86% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.74% | 2.51% | 0.77% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.55% | 2.63% | 1.08% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 2.13% | 1.31% | 0.82% |
| BKBank Of New York Mellon Corp | 2.41% | 0.44% | 1.97% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 1.91% | 0.89% | 1.02% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group, Inc. | 1.17% | 1.52% | 0.35% |
| STTState Street Corp. | 2.43% | 0.20% | 2.23% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 0.87% | 1.66% | 0.79% |
| USBUS Bancorp | 2.02% | 0.40% | 1.62% |
73.5% of VMAX 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, VMAX or VYM?
VMAX has an expense ratio of 0.29% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $25 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VMAX or VYM?
Over the past year VMAX returned +23.34% vs +17.25% for VYM, so VMAX leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VMAX or VYM?
VMAX has been the more volatile fund at 12.0% annualized versus 10.2% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VMAX -19.1% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both VMAX and VYM?
VMAX and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between VMAX and VYM?
73.5% of VMAX's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 37.7% of VYM's is in holdings VMAX also owns. They hold 96 positions in common, counted across the 140 positions we hold weights for in VMAX and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, VMAX or VYM?
VMAX yields 1.80% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than VMAX?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VMAX led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. VMAX is less concentrated, with 20.4% 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.