VTI vs VYM

VTI vs VYM

Which is better, VTI or VYM?

Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.

VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92.

Lower Fees: VTIHigher Returns: split

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

MetricVTIVYM
Expense Ratio0.03%Best0.04%
AUM$666.9B$81.6B
Dividend Yield1.03%2.22%
Holdings3,543613
YTD Return+12.57%+13.91%Best
1Y Return+17.22%+17.57%Best
3Y Return (annualized)+20.87%Best+18.12%
5Y Return (annualized)+11.86%+12.17%Best
Volatility (annualized)15.8%14.5%Best
Max Drawdown-56.6%Best-58.8%
$10,000 over 5 years$17,514$17,758Best
Fund FamilyVanguard (US)Vanguard (US)
CategoryEquityEquity
StyleLarge Cap BlendLarge Cap Value
InceptionMay 24, 2001Nov 10, 2006

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 11, 2026 (19.8 years).

VTI 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.

VTI vs VYM Performance

Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VTI returned +17.22% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, VTI is up 12.57% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.

Over three years, VTI compounded at +20.87% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +11.86% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.32% annualized vs +6.95%.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% 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 -56.6% for VTI 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.

Fees and Cost Over Time

VTI charges 0.03% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $4 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VTI currently yields 1.03% against 2.22% for VYM.

Holdings Overlap

VYM already in VTI92.4%

At least 92.4% of VYM's money is in holdings VTI also owns.

Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.

Most of VYM is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.

477 positions in common, counted across the 2,787 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 603 in VYM, against full books of 3,543 and 613.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in VTIWeight in VYMDifference
AVGOBroadcom Inc2.46%7.29%4.83%
JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co.1.11%3.38%2.27%
JNJJohnson & Johnson0.84%2.54%1.70%
XOMExxon Mobil Corp.0.78%2.36%1.58%
CATCaterpillar, Inc.0.67%2.01%1.34%
CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares0.57%1.93%1.36%
ABBVAbbvie Inc.0.61%1.85%1.24%
UNHUnitedhealth Group Inc.0.52%1.56%1.04%
BACBank Of America Corp.0.50%1.56%1.06%
HDHome Depot Inc/The0.48%1.46%0.98%

92.4% of VYM is already inside VTI.

You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.

VTIVYM

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, VTI or VYM?

VTI has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VYM charges 0.04%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, VTI or VYM?

Over the past year VTI returned +17.22% vs +17.57% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VTI annualized +9.32% vs +6.95% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, VTI or VYM?

VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VTI -56.6% vs VYM -58.8%.

Should I hold both VTI and VYM?

VTI 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 VTI and VYM?

At least 92.4% of VYM's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 477 positions in common, counted across the 2,787 positions we hold weights for in VTI and 603 in VYM.

Which pays a higher dividend, VTI or VYM?

VTI yields 1.03% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VYM better than VTI?

VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.