VYM vs WUGI
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs AXS Esoterica NextG Economy ETF
Which is better, VYM or WUGI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Growth.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and 5Y, WUGI over 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.3%.
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 | WUGI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.84% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $31M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 0.24% |
| Holdings | 613 | 34 |
| YTD Return | +13.75% | +18.42%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.42%Best | -2.46% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.22% | +23.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.17%Best | +8.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.0%Best | 28.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -15.8%Best | -56.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,758Best | $14,789 |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.9%Best | 58.3% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | AXS Investments |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Mar 31, 2020 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 31, 2020 to Sep 9, 2026 (6.4 years).
VYM vs WUGI 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 6.4 years both funds cover.
VYM vs WUGI Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and AXS Esoterica NextG Economy ETF (WUGI) is an ETF from AXS Investments. Over the past year VYM returned +19.42% while WUGI returned -2.46%. Year to date, VYM is up 13.75% versus a gain of 18.42% for WUGI.
Over three years, VYM compounded at +18.22% per year against +23.97% for WUGI; over five years the annualized figures are +12.17% and +8.14% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, WUGI has the edge at +21.37% annualized vs +16.65%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WUGI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 28.7% compared with 14.0% 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 -15.8% for VYM and -56.4% for WUGI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.39. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while WUGI charges 0.84%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $84 annually, a gap of $80 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.22% against 0.24% for WUGI.
Holdings Overlap
8.0% of VYM's money is in holdings WUGI also owns. 7.1% of WUGI's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
VYM and WUGI share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, VYM as of Jun 30, 2026 and WUGI as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
2 positions in common, counted across the 603 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 31 in WUGI, against full books of 613 and 34.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 25 positions for WUGI that do not appear in our book for VYM (75.7% of the fund), and 566 for VYM that do not appear in WUGI (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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VYM and WUGI 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 WUGI?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while WUGI charges 0.84%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $80 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or WUGI?
Over the past year VYM returned +19.42% vs -2.46% for WUGI, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), VYM annualized +16.65% vs +21.37% for WUGI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or WUGI?
WUGI has been the more volatile fund at 28.7% annualized versus 14.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -15.8% vs WUGI -56.4%.
Should I hold both VYM and WUGI?
VYM and WUGI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.39, 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 WUGI?
8.0% of VYM's money is in holdings WUGI also owns. 7.1% of WUGI's is in holdings VYM also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 603 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 31 in WUGI.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or WUGI?
VYM yields 2.22% while WUGI yields 0.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WUGI better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and 5Y, WUGI over 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.