VYM vs XLYI
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF
Which is better, VYM or XLYI?
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 | XLYI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $2M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 15.74% |
| Holdings | 613 | 4 |
| YTD Return | +11.71%Best | -2.75% |
| 1Y Return | +16.24%Best | -3.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.24% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.86% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.6%Best | 11.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -6.7%Best | -12.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $12,007Best | $10,225 |
| 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 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 30, 2025 to Sep 16, 2026 (1.1 years).
VYM vs XLYI 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 1.1 years both funds cover.
VYM vs XLYI Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLYI) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year VYM returned +16.24% while XLYI returned -3.82%. Year to date, VYM is up 11.71% versus a loss of 2.75% for XLYI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLYI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.8% compared with 9.6% 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 -6.7% for VYM and -12.3% for XLYI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while XLYI 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 15.74% for XLYI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 557 holdings in VYM and 2 in XLYI, totalling 99.2% and 99.9% 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 XLYI, against full books of 613 and 4.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VYM and XLYI 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 XLYI?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while XLYI charges 0.35%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or XLYI?
Over the past year VYM returned +16.24% vs -3.82% for XLYI, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), VYM annualized +18.09% vs +2.04% for XLYI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or XLYI?
XLYI has been the more volatile fund at 11.8% annualized versus 9.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -6.7% vs XLYI -12.3%.
Should I hold both VYM and XLYI?
VYM and XLYI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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 XLYI?
VYM yields 2.22% while XLYI yields 15.74%, so XLYI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLYI 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.