VYM vs XOP
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF
Which is better, VYM or XOP?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 3Y and the full window, XOP over 1Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 30.4%.
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 | XOP |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $4.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 1.72% |
| Holdings | 613 | 54 |
| YTD Return | +10.23% | +42.90%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.28% | +39.32%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.50%Best | +9.90% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.60% | +17.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6%Best | 37.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -58.8%Best | -91.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,311 | $22,264Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 26.1%Best | 30.4% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Jun 19, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 23, 2026 (19.9 years).
VYM vs XOP 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 19.9 years both funds cover.
VYM vs XOP Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (XOP) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year VYM returned +14.28% while XOP returned +39.32%. Year to date, VYM is up 10.23% versus a gain of 42.90% for XOP.
Over three years, VYM compounded at +17.50% per year against +9.90% for XOP; over five years the annualized figures are +11.60% and +17.36% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.76% annualized vs +1.56%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XOP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 37.3% compared with 14.6% 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 -58.8% for VYM and -91.0% for XOP. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.59. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while XOP 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 1.72% for XOP.
Holdings Overlap
7.4% of VYM's money is in holdings XOP also owns. 68.6% of XOP's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
27 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 52 in XOP, against full books of 613 and 54.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 557 and 52 positions we hold weights for.
VYM holds 501 positions XOP does not, 89.7% of the fund.
Largest: AVGO 7.35%, JPM 3.82%, JNJ 2.51%, CSCO 1.86%, ABBV 1.80%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VYM | Weight in XOP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 2.63% | 2.37% | 0.26% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 1.48% | 2.41% | 0.93% |
| PBFPbf Energy Inc | 0.03% | 3.81% | 3.78% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 0.38% | 3.15% | 2.77% |
| VLOValero Energy | 0.38% | 3.09% | 2.71% |
| DKDelek Us Holdings Inc | 0.02% | 3.35% | 3.33% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 0.34% | 3.01% | 2.67% |
| DINOHF Sinclair Corp | 0.06% | 3.19% | 3.13% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 0.60% | 2.45% | 1.85% |
| PRPermian Resources Corp | 0.07% | 2.62% | 2.55% |
68.6% of XOP 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 XOP?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while XOP charges 0.35%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or XOP?
Over the past year VYM returned +14.28% vs +39.32% for XOP, so XOP leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VYM annualized +6.76% vs +1.56% for XOP. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or XOP?
XOP has been the more volatile fund at 37.3% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -58.8% vs XOP -91.0%.
Should I hold both VYM and XOP?
VYM and XOP have a monthly-return correlation of 0.59, 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 XOP?
68.6% of XOP's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 68.6% of XOP's is in holdings VYM also owns. They hold 27 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 52 in XOP.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or XOP?
VYM yields 2.22% while XOP yields 1.72%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XOP better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 3Y and the full window, XOP over 1Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 30.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.