VYM vs WZRD
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs Opportunistic Trader ETF
Which is better, VYM or WZRD?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
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 | WZRD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 1.07% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $16M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 15.13% |
| Holdings | 613 | 20 |
| YTD Return | +13.15%Best | -73.94% |
| 1Y Return | +17.82%Best | -75.66% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.99% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.16% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.9%Best | 1016.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -6.7%Best | -98.2% |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $12,638Best | $2,430 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Opportunistic Trader |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Mar 19, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 25, 2025 to Sep 10, 2026 (1.2 years).
VYM vs WZRD 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
VYM vs WZRD Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Opportunistic Trader ETF (WZRD) is an ETF from Opportunistic Trader. Over the past year VYM returned +17.82% while WZRD returned -75.66%. Year to date, VYM is up 13.15% versus a loss of 73.94% for WZRD.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WZRD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 1016.9% compared with 8.9% 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 -6.7% for VYM and -98.2% for WZRD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.05. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while WZRD charges 1.07%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $107 annually, a gap of $103 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.22% against 15.13% for WZRD.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 603 holdings in VYM and 1 in WZRD, totalling 99.5% and 2.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 52 days apart, VYM as of Jun 30, 2026 and WZRD as of Aug 21, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 603 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 1 in WZRD, against full books of 613 and 20.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VYM and WZRD 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 WZRD?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while WZRD charges 1.07%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $103 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or WZRD?
Over the past year VYM returned +17.82% vs -75.66% for WZRD, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), VYM annualized +21.54% vs -69.24% for WZRD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or WZRD?
WZRD has been the more volatile fund at 1016.9% annualized versus 8.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -6.7% vs WZRD -98.2%.
Should I hold both VYM and WZRD?
VYM and WZRD have a monthly-return correlation of -0.05, 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 WZRD?
VYM yields 2.22% while WZRD yields 15.13%, so WZRD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WZRD 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.