VYM vs XLCI
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF
Which is better, VYM or XLCI?
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 | XLCI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $83.1B | $3M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 12.34% |
| Holdings | 608 | 4 |
| YTD Return | +11.26%Best | +2.41% |
| 1Y Return | +14.78%Best | +4.81% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.84% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.52% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.3% | 9.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -6.7%Best | -8.4% |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $12,036Best | $10,903 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Jul 29, 2025 |
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: Jul 30, 2025 to Oct 8, 2026 (1.2 years).
VYM vs XLCI 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 XLCI Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLCI) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year VYM returned +14.78% while XLCI returned +4.81%. Year to date, VYM is up 11.26% versus a gain of 2.41% for XLCI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.3% compared with 9.9% for XLCI. 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 -8.4% for XLCI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.47. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while XLCI charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $35 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.22% against 12.34% for XLCI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 557 holdings in VYM and 2 in XLCI, totalling 99.2% and 100.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 2 in XLCI, against full books of 608 and 4.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VYM and XLCI 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 XLCI?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while XLCI charges 0.35%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or XLCI?
Over the past year VYM returned +14.78% vs +4.81% for XLCI, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), VYM annualized +16.70% vs +7.47% for XLCI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or XLCI?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 10.3% annualized versus 9.9% for XLCI. Worst drawdown: VYM -6.7% vs XLCI -8.4%.
Should I hold both VYM and XLCI?
VYM and XLCI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.47, 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 XLCI?
VYM yields 2.22% while XLCI yields 12.34%, so XLCI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLCI 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.