VYM vs XLEM
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs State Street S&P 500 Energy Market Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, VYM or XLEM?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VYM has a lower expense ratio.
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 | XLEM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.12% |
| AUM | $95.8B | $467,214.15 |
| Dividend Yield | 2.23% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 610 | 7 |
| YTD Return | +11.84%Best | -8.82% |
| 1Y Return | +16.77% | - |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.83% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.75% | - |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.8% | - |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Oct 13, 2026 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
VYM vs XLEM 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 XLEM Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street S&P 500 Energy Market Sector SPDR ETF (XLEM) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Year to date, VYM is up 11.84% versus a loss of 8.82% for XLEM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while XLEM 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 2.23% against 0.00% for XLEM.
Holdings Overlap
6.4% of VYM's money is in holdings XLEM also owns. 100.0% of XLEM's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
Most of XLEM is already inside VYM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 60 days apart, VYM as of Aug 31, 2026 and XLEM as of Oct 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
7 positions in common, counted across the 602 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 7 in XLEM, against full books of 610 and 7.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 0 positions for XLEM that do not appear in our book for VYM (0.0% of the fund), and 570 for VYM that do not appear in XLEM (92.2%).
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 XLEM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| STTState Street Corp. | 0.21% | 84.70% | 84.49% |
| XOMExxonmobil Holdings Corp Common Stock Usd | 2.70% | 9.46% | 6.76% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 1.54% | 2.57% | 1.03% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 0.65% | 0.99% | 0.34% |
| VLOValero Energy | 0.43% | 0.90% | 0.47% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp. | 0.44% | 0.84% | 0.40% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 0.40% | 0.53% | 0.13% |
100.0% of XLEM 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.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VYM or XLEM?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while XLEM charges 0.12%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $8 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between VYM and XLEM?
100.0% of XLEM's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 100.0% of XLEM's is in holdings VYM also owns. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 602 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 7 in XLEM.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or XLEM?
VYM yields 2.23% while XLEM yields 0.00%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLEM better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.