VYM vs XAGG
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs Eaton Vance Income Opportunities ETF
Which is better, VYM or XAGG?
Large Cap Value against Investment Grade Bond.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y.
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 | XAGG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.50% |
| AUM | $83.1B | $1.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 5.64% |
| Holdings | 608 | 1,028 |
| YTD Return | +10.00%Best | +0.50% |
| 1Y Return | +13.75%Best | +2.32% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.81% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.63% | - |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Eaton Vance |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Investment Grade Bond |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Nov 10, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
VYM vs XAGG 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
VYM vs XAGG Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Eaton Vance Income Opportunities ETF (XAGG) is an ETF from Eaton Vance. Over the past year VYM returned +13.75% while XAGG returned +2.32%. Year to date, VYM is up 10.00% versus a gain of 0.50% for XAGG.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while XAGG charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $50 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.22% against 5.64% for XAGG.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 557 holdings in VYM and 26 in XAGG, totalling 99.2% and 1.7% 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 49 days apart, VYM as of Jul 31, 2026 and XAGG as of Sep 18, 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 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 26 in XAGG, against full books of 608 and 1,028.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VYM and XAGG 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 XAGG?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while XAGG charges 0.50%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or XAGG?
Over the past year VYM returned +13.75% vs +2.32% for XAGG, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or XAGG?
VYM yields 2.22% while XAGG yields 5.64%, so XAGG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XAGG better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.