VRAI vs VYM
Virtus Real Asset Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, VRAI or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VRAI led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. VRAI is less concentrated, with 12.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | VRAI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $19M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.80% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 91 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +23.92%Best | +13.15% |
| 1Y Return | +24.15%Best | +17.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.28% | +17.99%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.98% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.7% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.9% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,012 | $17,750Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 12.3%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Virtus Investment Partners | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 7, 2019 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 8, 2019 to Sep 10, 2026 (7.6 years).
VRAI 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 7.6 years both funds cover.
VRAI vs VYM Performance
Virtus Real Asset Income ETF (VRAI) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VRAI returned +24.15% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, VRAI is up 23.92% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, VRAI compounded at +13.28% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +6.98% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +11.52% annualized vs +5.50%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VRAI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.7% compared with 15.2% 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 -48.9% for VRAI 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VRAI charges 0.55% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $4 annually, a gap of $51 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VRAI currently yields 2.80% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
34.5% of VRAI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.9% of VYM's money is in holdings VRAI also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
32 positions in common, counted across the 90 positions we hold weights for in VRAI and 603 in VYM, against full books of 91 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 538 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for VRAI (94.8% of the fund), and 49 for VRAI that do not appear in VYM (54.3%).
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 VRAI | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLBSchlumberger Nv. | 1.12% | 0.29% | 0.83% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 1.03% | 0.38% | 0.65% |
| DINOHollyfrontier | 1.36% | 0.04% | 1.32% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co. Inc. | 1.05% | 0.31% | 0.74% |
| EXCExelon Corp. | 1.07% | 0.20% | 0.87% |
| XELXcel Energy Inc. | 1.05% | 0.21% | 0.84% |
| ESEversource Energy | 1.11% | 0.11% | 1.00% |
| CALMCal-maine Foods Inc | 1.21% | 0.01% | 1.20% |
| AEEAmeren Corp. | 1.07% | 0.13% | 0.94% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 1.14% | 0.06% | 1.08% |
34.5% of VRAI 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, VRAI or VYM?
VRAI has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $51 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VRAI or VYM?
Over the past year VRAI returned +24.15% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VRAI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), VRAI annualized +5.50% vs +11.52% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VRAI or VYM?
VRAI has been the more volatile fund at 19.7% annualized versus 15.2% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VRAI -48.9% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both VRAI and VYM?
VRAI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, 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 VRAI and VYM?
34.5% of VRAI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.9% of VYM's is in holdings VRAI also owns. They hold 32 positions in common, counted across the 90 positions we hold weights for in VRAI and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, VRAI or VYM?
VRAI yields 2.80% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VRAI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than VRAI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VRAI led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. VRAI is less concentrated, with 12.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.