VYM vs XFIX
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs F/m Opportunistic Income ETF
Which is better, VYM or XFIX?
Large Cap Value against Long Term Government Bond.
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 | XFIX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.40% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $38M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 5.43% |
| Holdings | 613 | 58 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.9% | 5.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -14.5% | -3.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.3 years | $14,431Best | $11,878 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | F-m investments |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Long Term Government Bond |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Sep 6, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 257 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. VYM has data through Sep 14, 2026 and XFIX through Dec 31, 2025.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 6, 2023 to Dec 31, 2025 (2.3 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.9% compared with 5.7% for XFIX. 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 -3.7% for XFIX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while XFIX charges 0.40%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $40 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.22% against 5.43% for XFIX.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 557 holdings in VYM and 24 in XFIX, totalling 99.2% and 56.4% 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 304 days apart, VYM as of Jul 31, 2026 and XFIX as of Sep 30, 2025, 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 24 in XFIX, against full books of 613 and 58.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VYM and XFIX 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 XFIX?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while XFIX charges 0.40%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, VYM or XFIX?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 10.9% annualized versus 5.7% for XFIX. Worst drawdown: VYM -14.5% vs XFIX -3.7%.
Should I hold both VYM and XFIX?
VYM and XFIX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 XFIX?
VYM yields 2.22% while XFIX yields 5.43%, so XFIX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XFIX 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.