VYM vs XSHD
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs Invesco S&P SmallCap High Dividend Low Volatility ETF
Which is better, VYM or XSHD?
Large Cap Value against Small Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM 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 30.6%.
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 | XSHD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.30% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $71M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.24% | 4.90% |
| Holdings | 613 | 55 |
| YTD Return | +14.33%Best | +9.23% |
| 1Y Return | +20.01%Best | +3.48% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.43%Best | +1.92% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.16%Best | -3.98% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4%Best | 21.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.7%Best | -49.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,750Best | $8,162 |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.9%Best | 30.6% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Small Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Dec 1, 2016 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 1, 2016 to Sep 8, 2026 (9.8 years).
VYM vs XSHD 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 9.8 years both funds cover.
VYM vs XSHD Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Invesco S&P SmallCap High Dividend Low Volatility ETF (XSHD) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year VYM returned +20.01% while XSHD returned +3.48%. Year to date, VYM is up 14.33% versus a gain of 9.23% for XSHD.
Over three years, VYM compounded at +18.43% per year against +1.92% for XSHD; over five years the annualized figures are +12.16% and -3.98% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.23% annualized vs -0.48%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XSHD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.5% compared with 14.4% 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 -49.5% for XSHD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while XSHD charges 0.30%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $30 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.24% against 4.90% for XSHD.
Holdings Overlap
0.4% of VYM's money is in holdings XSHD also owns. 45.7% of XSHD's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
32 positions in common, counted across the 602 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 60 in XSHD, against full books of 613 and 55.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 28 positions for XSHD that do not appear in our book for VYM (54.3% of the fund), and 540 for VYM that do not appear in XSHD (96.8%).
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 XSHD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAGConagra Brands Inc. | 0.03% | 3.15% | 3.12% |
| FLOFlowers Foods Inc | 0.01% | 2.77% | 2.76% |
| WUWestern Union Co. | 0.01% | 2.69% | 2.68% |
| CPBCampbell Soup Co. | 0.02% | 2.47% | 2.45% |
| UVVUniversal Corp./va(uvv) | 0.01% | 2.10% | 2.09% |
| CALMCal-maine Foods Inc | 0.01% | 1.95% | 1.94% |
| EMNEastman Chemical Co. | 0.03% | 1.80% | 1.77% |
| NE:LNNoble Corp Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.02% | 1.71% | 1.69% |
| CWENClearway Energy Inc Cl C | 0.02% | 1.70% | 1.68% |
| SLVMSylvamo Corp | 0.01% | 1.67% | 1.66% |
45.7% of XSHD 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 XSHD?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while XSHD charges 0.30%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or XSHD?
Over the past year VYM returned +20.01% vs +3.48% for XSHD, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), VYM annualized +10.23% vs -0.48% for XSHD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or XSHD?
XSHD has been the more volatile fund at 21.5% annualized versus 14.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -35.7% vs XSHD -49.5%.
Should I hold both VYM and XSHD?
VYM and XSHD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 XSHD?
45.7% of XSHD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 45.7% of XSHD's is in holdings VYM also owns. They hold 32 positions in common, counted across the 602 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 60 in XSHD.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or XSHD?
VYM yields 2.24% while XSHD yields 4.90%, so XSHD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XSHD better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM 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 30.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.