VXF vs VYM
Vanguard Extended Market ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, VXF or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VXF led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y.
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 | VXF | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $30.5B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.01% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 3,385 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +13.42%Best | +10.96% |
| 1Y Return | +13.53% | +15.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.07%Best | +17.78% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.32% | +12.05%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.6% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.4% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,585 | $17,663Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 27, 2001 | Nov 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 22, 2026 (19.8 years).
VXF 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.
VXF vs VYM Performance
Vanguard Extended Market ETF (VXF) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VXF returned +13.53% while VYM returned +15.42%. Year to date, VXF is up 13.42% versus a gain of 10.96% for VYM.
Over three years, VXF compounded at +20.07% per year against +17.78% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +6.32% and +12.05% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VXF has the edge at +8.41% annualized vs +6.80%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.6% compared with 14.6% 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 -59.4% for VXF 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXF charges 0.05% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $4 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXF currently yields 1.01% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 6.6% of VYM's money is in holdings VXF also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXF, our book for it covers 94.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VYM and VXF share little of their money.
282 positions in common, counted across the 3,296 positions we hold weights for in VXF and 557 in VYM, against full books of 3,385 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VXF | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FERGFerguson Enterprises | 0.52% | 0.18% | 0.34% |
| RPRXRoyalty Pharma Plc Cl A | 0.25% | 0.10% | 0.15% |
| RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. | 0.22% | 0.08% | 0.14% |
| EWBCEast West Bancorp, Inc. | 0.20% | 0.07% | 0.13% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 0.16% | 0.07% | 0.09% |
| PRPermian Resource | 0.16% | 0.07% | 0.09% |
| DTMDT Midstream Inc | 0.17% | 0.06% | 0.11% |
| PNFPPinnacle Financial Partners In Common Stock Usd1.0 | 0.17% | 0.06% | 0.11% |
| DKSDick's Sporting Goods Inc | 0.17% | 0.05% | 0.12% |
| RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated | 0.16% | 0.06% | 0.10% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VXF 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, VXF or VYM?
VXF has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXF or VYM?
Over the past year VXF returned +13.53% vs +15.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VXF annualized +8.41% vs +6.80% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXF or VYM?
VXF has been the more volatile fund at 19.6% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VXF -59.4% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both VXF and VYM?
VXF and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 VXF and VYM?
At least 6.6% of VYM's money is in holdings VXF also owns. Our book for VXF is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 282 positions in common, counted across the 3,296 positions we hold weights for in VXF and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXF or VYM?
VXF yields 1.01% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than VXF?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VXF led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.