VYM vs WISE
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF
Which is better, VYM or WISE?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.4%.
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 | WISE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $28M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 4.43% |
| Holdings | 613 | 48 |
| YTD Return | +11.35%Best | -12.84% |
| 1Y Return | +15.34%Best | -17.09% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.22% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.30% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.3%Best | 30.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.5%Best | -39.1% |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $16,031Best | $14,319 |
| Top 10 Weight | 26.1%Best | 52.4% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Themes ETFs |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Dec 8, 2023 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 8, 2023 to Sep 18, 2026 (2.8 years).
VYM vs WISE 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 2.8 years both funds cover.
VYM vs WISE Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Themes Generative Artificial Intelligence ETF (WISE) is an ETF from Themes ETFs. Over the past year VYM returned +15.34% while WISE returned -17.09%. Year to date, VYM is up 11.35% versus a loss of 12.84% for WISE.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WISE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.9% compared with 10.3% 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 -14.5% for VYM and -39.1% for WISE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.29. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while WISE charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $35 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.22% against 4.43% for WISE.
Holdings Overlap
8.3% of VYM's money is in holdings WISE also owns. 5.4% of WISE's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
VYM and WISE share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 41 in WISE, against full books of 613 and 48.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 28 positions for WISE that do not appear in our book for VYM (72.1% of the fund), and 526 for VYM that do not appear in WISE (88.8%).
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 WISE 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 WISE?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while WISE charges 0.35%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or WISE?
Over the past year VYM returned +15.34% vs -17.09% for WISE, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or WISE?
WISE has been the more volatile fund at 30.9% annualized versus 10.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -14.5% vs WISE -39.1%.
Should I hold both VYM and WISE?
VYM and WISE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.29, 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 VYM and WISE?
8.3% of VYM's money is in holdings WISE also owns. 5.4% of WISE's is in holdings VYM also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 41 in WISE.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or WISE?
VYM yields 2.22% while WISE yields 4.43%, so WISE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WISE better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.