VYM vs WEPN
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs Nicholas Defense and Rare Earth Income ETF
Which is better, VYM or WEPN?
Large Cap Value against Multi Alternative.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.3%.
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 | VYM | WEPN |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 1.11% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $7M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 5.97% |
| Holdings | 613 | 87 |
| YTD Return | +13.15%Best | -8.50% |
| 1Y Return | +17.82% | - |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.99% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.16% | - |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.9%Best | 57.3% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | XFunds |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Mar 3, 2026 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
VYM vs WEPN 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
VYM vs WEPN Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Nicholas Defense and Rare Earth Income ETF (WEPN) is an ETF from XFunds. Year to date, VYM is up 13.15% versus a loss of 8.50% for WEPN.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while WEPN charges 1.11%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $111 annually, a gap of $107 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.22% against 5.97% for WEPN.
Holdings Overlap
0.8% of VYM's money is in holdings WEPN also owns. 10.6% of WEPN's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
WEPN and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, VYM as of Jun 30, 2026 and WEPN as of Aug 17, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
4 positions in common, counted across the 603 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 30 in WEPN, against full books of 613 and 87.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 23 positions for WEPN that do not appear in our book for VYM (86.0% of the fund), and 564 for VYM that do not appear in WEPN (96.7%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VYM and WEPN 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, VYM or WEPN?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while WEPN charges 1.11%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $107 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between VYM and WEPN?
10.6% of WEPN's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 10.6% of WEPN's is in holdings VYM also owns. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 603 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 30 in WEPN.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or WEPN?
VYM yields 2.22% while WEPN yields 5.97%, so WEPN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WEPN better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.