VYM vs XJR
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs iShares ESG Select Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF
Which is better, VYM or XJR?
Large Cap Value against Small Cap Blend.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, XJR over 1Y. XJR is less concentrated, with 9.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | XJR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.12% |
| AUM | $83.1B | $204M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 0.95% |
| Holdings | 608 | 1,180 |
| YTD Return | +10.00% | +14.40%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.75% | +15.46%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.81%Best | +16.35% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.63%Best | +5.97% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.9%Best | 20.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -15.8%Best | -27.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,334Best | $13,363 |
| Top 10 Weight | 26.1% | 9.4%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Sep 22, 2020 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 24, 2020 to Oct 2, 2026 (6 years).
VYM vs XJR 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 years both funds cover.
VYM vs XJR Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and iShares ESG Select Screened S&P Small-Cap ETF (XJR) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year VYM returned +13.75% while XJR returned +15.46%. Year to date, VYM is up 10.00% versus a gain of 14.40% for XJR.
Over three years, VYM compounded at +18.81% per year against +16.35% for XJR; over five years the annualized figures are +11.63% and +5.97% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +15.15% annualized vs +13.53%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XJR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% compared with 13.9% 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 -15.8% for VYM and -27.1% for XJR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while XJR charges 0.12%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $12 annually, a gap of $8 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.22% against 0.95% for XJR.
Holdings Overlap
1.4% of VYM's money is in holdings XJR also owns. 20.2% of XJR's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
XJR and VYM share little of their money.
103 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 527 in XJR, against full books of 608 and 1,180.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 415 positions for XJR that do not appear in our book for VYM (77.0% of the fund), and 434 for VYM that do not appear in XJR (95.7%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VYM | Weight in XJR | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTCHMatch Group Inc | 0.04% | 0.65% | 0.61% |
| EMNEastman Chemical Co. | 0.03% | 0.51% | 0.48% |
| LWLambwestonholdings Inc. | 0.03% | 0.43% | 0.40% |
| LKQLkq Corp. | 0.02% | 0.40% | 0.38% |
| AROCArchrock, Inc. | 0.02% | 0.38% | 0.36% |
| NENoble Corp Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.02% | 0.37% | 0.35% |
| SXTSensient Technologies Corp | 0.02% | 0.36% | 0.34% |
| PIPRPiper Sandler Companies | 0.02% | 0.34% | 0.32% |
| VCTRVictory Receivables Corp | 0.02% | 0.33% | 0.31% |
| IRDMIridium Communications Inc | 0.02% | 0.33% | 0.31% |
20.2% of XJR is already inside VYM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VYM or XJR?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while XJR charges 0.12%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $8 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or XJR?
Over the past year VYM returned +13.75% vs +15.46% for XJR, so XJR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), VYM annualized +15.15% vs +13.53% for XJR. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or XJR?
XJR has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 13.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -15.8% vs XJR -27.1%.
Should I hold both VYM and XJR?
VYM and XJR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, 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 XJR?
20.2% of XJR's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 20.2% of XJR's is in holdings VYM also owns. They hold 103 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 527 in XJR.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or XJR?
VYM yields 2.22% while XJR yields 0.95%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XJR better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, XJR over 1Y. XJR is less concentrated, with 9.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.