VYM vs XRT
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF
Which is better, VYM or XRT?
Large Cap Value against Mid Cap Blend.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, XRT over the full window. XRT is less concentrated, with 18.2% 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 | XRT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $361M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 0.78% |
| Holdings | 613 | 77 |
| YTD Return | +11.35%Best | -4.04% |
| 1Y Return | +15.34%Best | -6.55% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.22%Best | +11.42% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.30%Best | -1.03% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6%Best | 24.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -58.8%Best | -66.2% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,861Best | $9,496 |
| Top 10 Weight | 26.1% | 18.2%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Mid 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 18, 2026 (19.8 years).
VYM vs XRT 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 XRT Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year VYM returned +15.34% while XRT returned -6.55%. Year to date, VYM is up 11.35% versus a loss of 4.04% for XRT.
Over three years, VYM compounded at +17.22% per year against +11.42% for XRT; over five years the annualized figures are +12.30% and -1.03% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, XRT has the edge at +7.55% annualized vs +6.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XRT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.8% 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 -66.2% for XRT. 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 XRT 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 0.78% for XRT.
Holdings Overlap
1.1% of VYM's money is in holdings XRT also owns. 24.4% of XRT's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
XRT and VYM share little of their money.
18 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 76 in XRT, against full books of 613 and 77.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 58 positions for XRT that do not appear in our book for VYM (75.5% of the fund), and 512 for VYM that do not appear in XRT (96.0%).
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 XRT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TGTTarget Corp Common Stock Usd.0833 | 0.27% | 1.73% | 1.46% |
| DGDollar General Corp. | 0.11% | 1.59% | 1.48% |
| PAGPenske Automotive Group Inc | 0.02% | 1.67% | 1.65% |
| TSCOTractor Supply Co. | 0.07% | 1.56% | 1.49% |
| EBAYEbay Inc. | 0.21% | 1.34% | 1.13% |
| BBYBest Buy Co. Inc. | 0.07% | 1.46% | 1.39% |
| DDSDillard's Inc | 0.01% | 1.48% | 1.47% |
| BBWIBath & Body Works Inc | 0.02% | 1.46% | 1.44% |
| GAPGap Inc | 0.02% | 1.45% | 1.43% |
| KRKroger Co. | 0.13% | 1.23% | 1.10% |
24.4% of XRT 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 XRT?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while XRT charges 0.35%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or XRT?
Over the past year VYM returned +15.34% vs -6.55% for XRT, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VYM annualized +6.82% vs +7.55% for XRT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or XRT?
XRT has been the more volatile fund at 24.8% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -58.8% vs XRT -66.2%.
Should I hold both VYM and XRT?
VYM and XRT 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.
What is the holdings overlap between VYM and XRT?
24.4% of XRT's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 24.4% of XRT's is in holdings VYM also owns. They hold 18 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 76 in XRT.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or XRT?
VYM yields 2.22% while XRT yields 0.78%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XRT better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, XRT over the full window. XRT is less concentrated, with 18.2% 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.