VYM vs WMSB
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs Weitz Multisector Bond ETF
Which is better, VYM or WMSB?
VYM has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y 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 | VYM | WMSB |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.65% |
| AUM | $95.8B | $27M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.23% | 5.49% |
| Holdings | 610 | 187 |
| YTD Return | +16.00%Best | +1.35% |
| 1Y Return | +18.97%Best | +2.66% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.46% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.54% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.8% | 3.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -6.7% | -2.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 1 years | $12,046Best | $10,296 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Weitz Investment Management, Inc |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Value | - |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Nov 4, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 5, 2025 to Nov 11, 2026 (1 years).
VYM vs WMSB 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 1 years both funds cover.
VYM vs WMSB Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Weitz Multisector Bond ETF (WMSB) is an ETF from Weitz Investment Management, Inc. Over the past year VYM returned +18.97% while WMSB returned +2.66%. Year to date, VYM is up 16.00% versus a gain of 1.35% for WMSB.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.8% compared with 3.6% for WMSB. 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 -6.7% for VYM and -2.7% for WMSB. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while WMSB charges 0.65%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $65 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.23% against 5.49% for WMSB.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 602 holdings in VYM and 24 in WMSB, totalling 100.0% and 28.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 602 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 24 in WMSB, against full books of 610 and 187.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VYM and WMSB 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 WMSB?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while WMSB charges 0.65%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or WMSB?
Over the past year VYM returned +18.97% vs +2.66% for WMSB, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), VYM annualized +20.46% vs +2.96% for WMSB. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or WMSB?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 11.8% annualized versus 3.6% for WMSB. Worst drawdown: VYM -6.7% vs WMSB -2.7%.
Should I hold both VYM and WMSB?
VYM and WMSB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or WMSB?
VYM yields 2.23% while WMSB yields 5.49%, so WMSB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WMSB better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.