VYM vs XMPT
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs VanEck CEF Municipal Income ETF
Which is better, VYM or XMPT?
Large Cap Value against Municipal Bond.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.5%.
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 | XMPT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 1.97% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $219M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 6.45% |
| Holdings | 613 | 39 |
| YTD Return | +12.29%Best | -6.72% |
| 1Y Return | +16.61%Best | -5.36% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.42%Best | +5.23% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.12%Best | -3.69% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.1%Best | 42.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.7%Best | -56.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,718Best | $8,286 |
| Top 10 Weight | 26.1%Best | 59.5% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | VanEck |
| Category | Equity | Tax Preferred |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Municipal Bond |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Jul 12, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 13, 2011 to Sep 17, 2026 (15.2 years).
VYM vs XMPT 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 15.2 years both funds cover.
VYM vs XMPT Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and VanEck CEF Municipal Income ETF (XMPT) is an ETF from VanEck. Over the past year VYM returned +16.61% while XMPT returned -5.36%. Year to date, VYM is up 12.29% versus a loss of 6.72% for XMPT.
Over three years, VYM compounded at +17.42% per year against +5.23% for XMPT; over five years the annualized figures are +12.12% and -3.69% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.88% annualized vs +3.41%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XMPT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 42.1% compared with 13.1% 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 -35.7% for VYM and -56.3% for XMPT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.02. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while XMPT charges 1.97%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $197 annually, a gap of $193 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.22% against 6.45% for XMPT.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 557 holdings in VYM and 37 in XMPT, 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 37 in XMPT, against full books of 613 and 39.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 557 and 37 positions we hold weights for.
VYM holds 528 positions XMPT does not, 97.1% of the fund.
Largest: AVGO 7.35%, JPM 3.82%, XOM 2.63%, JNJ 2.51%, CSCO 1.86%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VYM and XMPT 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 XMPT?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while XMPT charges 1.97%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $193 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or XMPT?
Over the past year VYM returned +16.61% vs -5.36% for XMPT, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), VYM annualized +9.88% vs +3.41% for XMPT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or XMPT?
XMPT has been the more volatile fund at 42.1% annualized versus 13.1% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -35.7% vs XMPT -56.3%.
Should I hold both VYM and XMPT?
VYM and XMPT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.02, 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 XMPT?
VYM yields 2.22% while XMPT yields 6.45%, so XMPT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XMPT better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.