VYM vs XMAG
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF
Which is better, VYM or XMAG?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. XMAG is less concentrated, with 18.6% 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 | XMAG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $182M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 0.46% |
| Holdings | 613 | 992 |
| YTD Return | +11.71% | +11.97%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.24%Best | +15.83% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.24% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.86% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.8%Best | 12.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.5%Best | -16.2% |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $12,846Best | $12,773 |
| Top 10 Weight | 26.1% | 18.6%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Defiance ETFs, LLC |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Oct 21, 2024 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 22, 2024 to Sep 16, 2026 (1.9 years).
VYM vs XMAG 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 1.9 years both funds cover.
VYM vs XMAG Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Defiance Large Cap ex-Mag 7 ETF (XMAG) is an ETF from Defiance ETFs, LLC. Over the past year VYM returned +16.24% while XMAG returned +15.83%. Year to date, VYM is up 11.71% versus a gain of 11.97% for XMAG.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XMAG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.1% compared with 10.8% 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 -14.5% for VYM and -16.2% for XMAG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while XMAG 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 0.46% for XMAG.
Holdings Overlap
87.0% of VYM's money is in holdings XMAG also owns. 48.8% of XMAG's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside XMAG. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
225 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 493 in XMAG, against full books of 613 and 992.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 260 positions for XMAG that do not appear in our book for VYM (50.5% of the fund), and 304 for VYM that do not appear in XMAG (10.1%).
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 XMAG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 7.35% | 2.71% | 4.64% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 3.82% | 2.19% | 1.63% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 2.63% | 1.53% | 1.10% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 2.51% | 1.49% | 1.02% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.86% | 1.01% | 0.85% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.80% | 1.06% | 0.74% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 1.48% | 0.94% | 0.54% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 1.50% | 0.84% | 0.66% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 1.52% | 0.81% | 0.71% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 1.38% | 0.87% | 0.51% |
87.0% of VYM is already inside XMAG.
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 XMAG?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while XMAG charges 0.35%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or XMAG?
Over the past year VYM returned +16.24% vs +15.83% for XMAG, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), VYM annualized +14.09% vs +13.75% for XMAG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or XMAG?
XMAG has been the more volatile fund at 12.1% annualized versus 10.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -14.5% vs XMAG -16.2%.
Should I hold both VYM and XMAG?
VYM and XMAG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 XMAG?
87.0% of VYM's money is in holdings XMAG also owns. 48.8% of XMAG's is in holdings VYM also owns. They hold 225 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 493 in XMAG.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or XMAG?
VYM yields 2.22% while XMAG yields 0.46%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XMAG better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. XMAG is less concentrated, with 18.6% 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.