VYM vs WSML
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs iShares MSCI World Small-Cap ETF
Which is better, VYM or WSML?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. WSML led over 1Y and the full window. WSML is less concentrated, with 2.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | WSML |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.30% |
| AUM | $83.1B | $660M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 2.76% |
| Holdings | 608 | 3,540 |
| YTD Return | +10.00% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.75% | +15.89%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.81% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.63% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.8%Best | 13.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -7.5%Best | -10.7% |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $13,085 | $14,692Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 26.1% | 2.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Apr 1, 2025 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 3, 2025 to Oct 2, 2026 (1.5 years).
VYM vs WSML 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
VYM vs WSML Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and iShares MSCI World Small-Cap ETF (WSML) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year VYM returned +13.75% while WSML returned +15.89%. Year to date, VYM is up 10.00% versus a gain of 12.30% for WSML.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WSML has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.4% compared with 9.8% 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 -7.5% for VYM and -10.7% for WSML. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while WSML charges 0.30%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $30 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.22% against 2.76% for WSML.
Holdings Overlap
7.6% of VYM's money is in holdings WSML also owns. 15.6% of WSML's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
WSML and VYM share little of their money.
295 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 3,564 in WSML, against full books of 608 and 3,540.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,251 positions for WSML that do not appear in our book for VYM (44.4% of the fund), and 248 for VYM that do not appear in WSML (89.5%).
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 VYM | Weight in WSML | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GILDGilead Sciences | 0.66% | 0.00% | 0.66% |
| VTRSViatris Inc. | 0.08% | 0.18% | 0.10% |
| PRPermian Resource | 0.07% | 0.17% | 0.10% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 0.07% | 0.16% | 0.09% |
| EWBCEast West Bancorp, Inc. | 0.07% | 0.16% | 0.09% |
| RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated | 0.06% | 0.15% | 0.09% |
| DINOHollyfrontier | 0.06% | 0.15% | 0.09% |
| APAAPA Corp. | 0.05% | 0.15% | 0.10% |
| EQHEquitable Holdings Inc. | 0.05% | 0.14% | 0.09% |
| AIZAssurant, Inc. | 0.06% | 0.13% | 0.07% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VYM and WSML 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 WSML?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while WSML charges 0.30%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or WSML?
Over the past year VYM returned +13.75% vs +15.89% for WSML, so WSML leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), VYM annualized +19.63% vs +29.24% for WSML. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or WSML?
WSML has been the more volatile fund at 13.4% annualized versus 9.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -7.5% vs WSML -10.7%.
Should I hold both VYM and WSML?
VYM and WSML have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 WSML?
15.6% of WSML's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 15.6% of WSML's is in holdings VYM also owns. They hold 295 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 3,564 in WSML.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or WSML?
VYM yields 2.22% while WSML yields 2.76%, so WSML currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WSML better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. WSML led over 1Y and the full window. WSML is less concentrated, with 2.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.