VYM vs XLG
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF
Which is better, VYM or XLG?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, XLG over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.3%.
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 | XLG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.20% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $11.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 0.64% |
| Holdings | 613 | 53 |
| YTD Return | +13.08%Best | +6.14% |
| 1Y Return | +17.46%Best | +10.06% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.73% | +21.77%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.22% | +13.79%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5%Best | 15.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -58.8% | -53.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,797 | $19,077Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 26.1%Best | 60.3% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | May 4, 2005 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 14, 2026 (19.8 years).
VYM vs XLG 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
VYM vs XLG Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Invesco S&P 500 Top 50 ETF (XLG) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year VYM returned +17.46% while XLG returned +10.06%. Year to date, VYM is up 13.08% versus a gain of 6.14% for XLG.
Over three years, VYM compounded at +17.73% per year against +21.77% for XLG; over five years the annualized figures are +12.22% and +13.79% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, XLG has the edge at +9.64% annualized vs +6.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.4% compared with 14.5% 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 -58.8% for VYM and -53.8% for XLG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while XLG charges 0.20%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $20 annually, a gap of $16 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.22% against 0.64% for XLG.
Holdings Overlap
42.5% of VYM's money is in holdings XLG also owns. 25.6% of XLG's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
26 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 52 in XLG, against full books of 613 and 53.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 25 positions for XLG that do not appear in our book for VYM (72.6% of the fund), and 502 for VYM that do not appear in XLG (54.5%).
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 XLG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 7.35% | 4.23% | 3.12% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 3.82% | 2.30% | 1.52% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 2.63% | 1.62% | 1.01% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 2.51% | 1.55% | 0.96% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.86% | 1.05% | 0.81% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.80% | 1.09% | 0.71% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 1.66% | 0.97% | 0.69% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 1.48% | 0.94% | 0.54% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 1.50% | 0.89% | 0.61% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 1.52% | 0.85% | 0.67% |
42.5% of VYM is already inside XLG.
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 XLG?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while XLG charges 0.20%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or XLG?
Over the past year VYM returned +17.46% vs +10.06% for XLG, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VYM annualized +6.91% vs +9.64% for XLG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or XLG?
XLG has been the more volatile fund at 15.4% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -58.8% vs XLG -53.8%.
Should I hold both VYM and XLG?
VYM and XLG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 XLG?
42.5% of VYM's money is in holdings XLG also owns. 25.6% of XLG's is in holdings VYM also owns. They hold 26 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 52 in XLG.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or XLG?
VYM yields 2.22% while XLG yields 0.64%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLG better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, XLG over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.