VYM vs XTL
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P Telecom ETF
Which is better, VYM or XTL?
Large Cap Value against Mid Cap Blend.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over the full window, XTL over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.8%.
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 | XTL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $583M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 1.26% |
| Holdings | 613 | 42 |
| YTD Return | +11.35% | +32.32%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.34% | +48.05%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.22% | +42.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.30% | +17.74%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.9%Best | 20.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.7%Best | -37.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,861 | $22,627Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 26.1%Best | 36.8% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 27, 2011 to Sep 18, 2026 (15.6 years).
VYM vs XTL 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
VYM vs XTL Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street SPDR S&P Telecom ETF (XTL) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year VYM returned +15.34% while XTL returned +48.05%. Year to date, VYM is up 11.35% versus a gain of 32.32% for XTL.
Over three years, VYM compounded at +17.22% per year against +42.20% for XTL; over five years the annualized figures are +12.30% and +17.74% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.80% annualized vs +9.66%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XTL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.4% compared with 12.9% 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 -37.0% for XTL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while XTL 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 1.26% for XTL.
Holdings Overlap
4.0% of VYM's money is in holdings XTL also owns. 21.0% of XTL's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
XTL and VYM share little of their money.
6 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 41 in XTL, against full books of 613 and 42.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 34 positions for XTL that do not appear in our book for VYM (76.9% of the fund), and 522 for VYM that do not appear in XTL (93.1%).
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 XTL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.86% | 3.09% | 1.23% |
| TBBAt&t Inc | 0.64% | 3.74% | 3.10% |
| VZVerizon Communic | 0.80% | 3.58% | 2.78% |
| CMCSAComcast Corp-class A Cmcsa | 0.34% | 3.75% | 3.41% |
| TMUST-Mobile Usa Inc Esrw Usd Npv Ref Sm#585558 | 0.34% | 3.38% | 3.04% |
| IRDMIridium Communications Inc | 0.02% | 3.45% | 3.43% |
21.0% of XTL 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 XTL?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while XTL charges 0.35%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or XTL?
Over the past year VYM returned +15.34% vs +48.05% for XTL, so XTL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VYM annualized +9.80% vs +9.66% for XTL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or XTL?
XTL has been the more volatile fund at 20.4% annualized versus 12.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -35.7% vs XTL -37.0%.
Should I hold both VYM and XTL?
VYM and XTL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 XTL?
21.0% of XTL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 21.0% of XTL's is in holdings VYM also owns. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 41 in XTL.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or XTL?
VYM yields 2.22% while XTL yields 1.26%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XTL better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over the full window, XTL over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.