VYM vs XSD
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF
Which is better, VYM or XSD?
Large Cap Value against Mid Cap Growth.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. XSD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 28.4%.
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 | XSD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $2.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.24% | 0.16% |
| Holdings | 613 | 48 |
| YTD Return | +14.33% | +48.03%Best |
| 1Y Return | +20.01% | +69.47%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.43% | +35.33%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.16% | +19.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5%Best | 30.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -58.8%Best | -64.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,750 | $24,873Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.9%Best | 28.4% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Mid Cap Growth |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Jan 31, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 8, 2026 (19.8 years).
VYM vs XSD 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 XSD Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year VYM returned +20.01% while XSD returned +69.47%. Year to date, VYM is up 14.33% versus a gain of 48.03% for XSD.
Over three years, VYM compounded at +18.43% per year against +35.33% for XSD; over five years the annualized figures are +12.16% and +19.99% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, XSD has the edge at +16.14% annualized vs +6.97%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XSD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.0% compared with 14.5% 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 -64.9% for XSD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.61. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while XSD 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 2.24% against 0.16% for XSD.
Holdings Overlap
10.6% of VYM's money is in holdings XSD also owns. 21.6% of XSD's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
XSD and VYM share little of their money.
9 positions in common, counted across the 602 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 47 in XSD, against full books of 613 and 48.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 36 positions for XSD that do not appear in our book for VYM (74.2% of the fund), and 560 for VYM that do not appear in XSD (86.6%).
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 XSD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 7.29% | 2.86% | 4.43% |
| TXNTexas Instruments, Inc | 1.13% | 2.56% | 1.43% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 0.80% | 2.46% | 1.66% |
| QCOMQualcomm | 0.81% | 2.16% | 1.35% |
| MCHPMicrochip Technology Inc. | 0.20% | 2.33% | 2.13% |
| OLEDUniversal Display Corporation | 0.02% | 2.51% | 2.49% |
| SWKSSkyworks Solutions Inccommon Stock | 0.04% | 2.41% | 2.37% |
| NXPINxp Semiconductors N.V. Common Stock | 0.29% | 2.11% | 1.82% |
| POWIPower Integrations Inc | 0.02% | 2.20% | 2.18% |
21.6% of XSD 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 XSD?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while XSD charges 0.35%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or XSD?
Over the past year VYM returned +20.01% vs +69.47% for XSD, so XSD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VYM annualized +6.97% vs +16.14% for XSD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or XSD?
XSD has been the more volatile fund at 30.0% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -58.8% vs XSD -64.9%.
Should I hold both VYM and XSD?
VYM and XSD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.61, 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 XSD?
21.6% of XSD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 21.6% of XSD's is in holdings VYM also owns. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 602 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 47 in XSD.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or XSD?
VYM yields 2.24% while XSD yields 0.16%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XSD better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. XSD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 28.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.