VTSAX vs VYM
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Class vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, VTSAX or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VTSAX led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | VTSAX | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Tie | 0.04%Tie |
| AUM | $480.8B | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.02% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 3,543 | 608 |
| YTD Price Return | +11.52%Best | +8.08% |
| 1Y Price Return | +13.92%Best | +11.04% |
| 3Y Price Return (annualized) | +20.96%Best | +15.62% |
| 5Y Price Return (annualized) | +11.12%Best | +8.45% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.0% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -26.3% | -17.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,942Best | $15,002 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 13, 2000 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Returns are price returns and exclude distributions, because our data feed carries no adjusted close for VTSAX. Both funds are measured the same way, so the comparison holds. VTSAX yields 1.02% and VYM 2.22% on top.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 4, 2021 to Oct 1, 2026 (5 years).
VTSAX 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 5 years both funds cover. Prices exclude distributions, on both funds alike.
VTSAX vs VYM Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Class (VTSAX) is a mutual fund from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VTSAX returned +13.92% while VYM returned +11.04%. Year to date, VTSAX is up 11.52% versus a gain of 8.08% for VYM.
Over three years, VTSAX compounded at +20.96% per year against +15.62% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +11.12% and +8.45% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTSAX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.0% compared with 14.1% 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 -26.3% for VTSAX and -17.5% 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTSAX charges 0.04% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $4 annually. On income, VTSAX currently yields 1.02% against 2.22% for VYM.
Structure and taxes
VTSAX is a mutual fund and VYM is an ETF. A mutual fund prices once a day at net asset value and may carry a purchase minimum. An ETF trades through the day at whatever the market pays for it.
In a taxable account the difference that usually matters is distributions. An ETF can meet redemptions in kind, so it rarely has to sell holdings and rarely passes a capital gain to the people who held it; a mutual fund that sells holdings to meet redemptions can distribute a realised gain at year end to everyone still in the fund, whether or not they sold anything themselves. In a tax-deferred account that difference largely disappears. Both are descriptions of how the two wrappers work, not a recommendation.
Tax-loss harvesting works on either wrapper.
Holdings Overlap
At least 92.5% of VYM's money is in holdings VTSAX also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTSAX, our book for it covers 92.2% 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 VTSAX. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
421 positions in common, counted across the 2,727 positions we hold weights for in VTSAX and 557 in VYM, against full books of 3,543 and 608.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VTSAX | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.46% | 7.35% | 4.89% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.11% | 3.82% | 2.71% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.78% | 2.63% | 1.85% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.84% | 2.51% | 1.67% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.57% | 1.86% | 1.29% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.61% | 1.80% | 1.19% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.67% | 1.50% | 0.83% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 0.50% | 1.66% | 1.16% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.52% | 1.52% | 1.00% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.43% | 1.48% | 1.05% |
92.5% of VYM is already inside VTSAX.
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, VTSAX or VYM?
VTSAX has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VYM charges 0.04%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, VTSAX or VYM?
Over the past year VTSAX returned +13.92% vs +11.04% for VYM, so VTSAX leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTSAX or VYM?
VTSAX has been the more volatile fund at 16.0% annualized versus 14.1% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VTSAX -26.3% vs VYM -17.5%.
Should I hold both VTSAX and VYM?
VTSAX and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 VTSAX and VYM?
At least 92.5% of VYM's money is in holdings VTSAX also owns. Our book for VTSAX is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 421 positions in common, counted across the 2,727 positions we hold weights for in VTSAX and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTSAX or VYM?
VTSAX yields 1.02% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is it better to hold VTSAX or VYM in a taxable account?
VYM is an ETF and VTSAX is a mutual fund. An ETF can meet redemptions in kind, so it rarely distributes a capital gain to the people holding it. A mutual fund that sells holdings to meet redemptions can pass a realised gain to every holder at year end. In a tax-deferred account that difference largely disappears. This is information, not a recommendation.
Is VYM better than VTSAX?
VTSAX led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.