VTWG vs VYM
Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, VTWG or VYM?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VTWG led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. VTWG is less concentrated, with 7.0% 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 | VTWG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.7B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.61% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,138 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +12.04% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.76%Best | +17.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.74% | +17.99%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.73% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.0% | 12.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.1% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,600 | $17,750Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 7.0%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2010 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2010 to Sep 10, 2026 (16 years).
VTWG 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 16 years both funds cover.
VTWG vs VYM Performance
Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth ETF (VTWG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VTWG returned +18.76% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, VTWG is up 12.04% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, VTWG compounded at +16.74% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +4.73% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VTWG has the edge at +11.03% annualized vs +10.40%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTWG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.0% compared with 12.9% 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 -42.1% for VTWG 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTWG charges 0.06% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $4 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VTWG currently yields 0.61% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
9.5% of VTWG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.1% of VYM's money is in holdings VTWG also owns.
VTWG and VYM share little of their money.
75 positions in common, counted across the 1,123 positions we hold weights for in VTWG and 603 in VYM, against full books of 1,138 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 499 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for VTWG (96.5% of the fund), and 849 for VTWG that do not appear in VYM (86.4%).
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 VTWG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCFSFirstcash Inc | 0.53% | 0.04% | 0.49% |
| AROCArchrock, Inc. | 0.42% | 0.03% | 0.39% |
| KLIC:SIKulicke & Soffa Industries Inc Adr | 0.41% | 0.03% | 0.38% |
| IBPInstalled Building Products Inc | 0.32% | 0.02% | 0.30% |
| YOUClear Secure Inc | 0.31% | 0.02% | 0.29% |
| SXTSensient Technologies Corp | 0.31% | 0.02% | 0.29% |
| PIPRPiper Sandler Companies | 0.30% | 0.02% | 0.28% |
| MCMoelis & Co | 0.29% | 0.02% | 0.27% |
| MGYMagnolia Oil & Gas Corp | 0.28% | 0.02% | 0.26% |
| POWIPower Integrations Inc | 0.28% | 0.02% | 0.26% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VTWG and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VTWG or VYM?
VTWG has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VTWG or VYM?
Over the past year VTWG returned +18.76% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VTWG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VTWG annualized +11.03% vs +10.40% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTWG or VYM?
VTWG has been the more volatile fund at 20.0% annualized versus 12.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VTWG -42.1% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both VTWG and VYM?
VTWG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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 VTWG and VYM?
9.5% of VTWG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.1% of VYM's is in holdings VTWG also owns. They hold 75 positions in common, counted across the 1,123 positions we hold weights for in VTWG and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTWG or VYM?
VTWG yields 0.61% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than VTWG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VTWG led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. VTWG is less concentrated, with 7.0% 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.