VYM vs XSLV
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF
Which is better, VYM or XSLV?
Large Cap Value against Small Cap Blend.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. XSLV is less concentrated, with 11.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | XSLV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.25% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $249M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 2.11% |
| Holdings | 613 | 119 |
| YTD Return | +13.15%Best | +12.77% |
| 1Y Return | +17.82%Best | +12.72% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.99%Best | +10.77% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.16%Best | +3.98% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.3%Best | 16.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.7%Best | -45.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,750Best | $12,155 |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.9% | 11.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Feb 12, 2013 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 15, 2013 to Sep 10, 2026 (13.6 years).
VYM vs XSLV 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 13.6 years both funds cover.
VYM vs XSLV Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Invesco S&P SmallCap Low Volatility ETF (XSLV) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year VYM returned +17.82% while XSLV returned +12.72%. Year to date, VYM is up 13.15% versus a gain of 12.77% for XSLV.
Over three years, VYM compounded at +17.99% per year against +10.77% for XSLV; over five years the annualized figures are +12.16% and +3.98% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.87% annualized vs +6.31%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XSLV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 13.3% 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 -45.3% for XSLV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while XSLV charges 0.25%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $25 annually, a gap of $21 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.22% against 2.11% for XSLV.
Holdings Overlap
0.6% of VYM's money is in holdings XSLV also owns. 45.7% of XSLV's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
52 positions in common, counted across the 603 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 115 in XSLV, against full books of 613 and 119.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 60 positions for XSLV that do not appear in our book for VYM (52.7% of the fund), and 518 for VYM that do not appear in XSLV (96.9%).
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 XSLV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHCOCity Holding Co Common Stock Usd2.5 | 0.01% | 1.16% | 1.15% |
| HMNHorace Mann Educators Corp | 0.01% | 1.11% | 1.10% |
| NWNNorthwest Natural Holding Co | 0.01% | 1.10% | 1.09% |
| AWRAmerican States Water Co | 0.01% | 1.10% | 1.09% |
| CPKChesapeake Utilities Corp | 0.01% | 1.05% | 1.04% |
| MGEEMge Energy Inc | 0.01% | 1.04% | 1.03% |
| AVAAvista Corp | 0.01% | 1.03% | 1.02% |
| ACTEnact Holdings Inc | 0.01% | 1.01% | 1.00% |
| IOSPInnospec Inc | 0.01% | 0.99% | 0.98% |
| FCFFirst Commonwealth Financial Corp | 0.01% | 0.99% | 0.98% |
45.7% of XSLV 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VYM or XSLV?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while XSLV charges 0.25%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $21 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or XSLV?
Over the past year VYM returned +17.82% vs +12.72% for XSLV, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), VYM annualized +9.87% vs +6.31% for XSLV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or XSLV?
XSLV has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 13.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -35.7% vs XSLV -45.3%.
Should I hold both VYM and XSLV?
VYM and XSLV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 XSLV?
45.7% of XSLV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 45.7% of XSLV's is in holdings VYM also owns. They hold 52 positions in common, counted across the 603 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 115 in XSLV.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or XSLV?
VYM yields 2.22% while XSLV yields 2.11%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XSLV better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. XSLV is less concentrated, with 11.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.