VYM vs XAPR
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs FT Vest US Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - April
Which is better, VYM or XAPR?
Large Cap Value against Option Writing.
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 | XAPR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.85% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $30M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 613 | 12 |
| YTD Return | +13.91%Best | +5.51% |
| 1Y Return | +17.57%Best | +7.65% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.12% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.17% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.8% | 2.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -14.5% | -6.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.4 years | $14,832Best | $12,880 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Option Writing |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Apr 19, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 22, 2024 to Sep 11, 2026 (2.4 years).
VYM vs XAPR 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 2.4 years both funds cover.
VYM vs XAPR Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and FT Vest US Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - April (XAPR) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year VYM returned +17.57% while XAPR returned +7.65%. Year to date, VYM is up 13.91% versus a gain of 5.51% for XAPR.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 9.8% compared with 2.5% for XAPR. 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 -14.5% for VYM and -6.2% for XAPR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.17. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while XAPR charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $85 annually, a gap of $81 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.22% against 0.00% for XAPR.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VYM and XAPR 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 XAPR?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while XAPR charges 0.85%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $81 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or XAPR?
Over the past year VYM returned +17.57% vs +7.65% for XAPR, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), VYM annualized +17.85% vs +11.12% for XAPR. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or XAPR?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 9.8% annualized versus 2.5% for XAPR. Worst drawdown: VYM -14.5% vs XAPR -6.2%.
Should I hold both VYM and XAPR?
VYM and XAPR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.17, 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 XAPR?
VYM yields 2.22% while XAPR yields 0.00%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XAPR 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.