VYM vs XYLD
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF
Which is better, VYM or XYLD?
Large Cap Value against Multi Alternative.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, XYLD over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.4%.
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 | XYLD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.60% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $3.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 10.44% |
| Holdings | 613 | 507 |
| YTD Return | +13.91%Best | +9.81% |
| 1Y Return | +17.57% | +17.92%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.12%Best | +12.47% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.17%Best | +7.61% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.4% | 11.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.7% | -34.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,758Best | $14,430 |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.9%Best | 39.4% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Global X by mirae Asset |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Jun 21, 2013 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 24, 2013 to Sep 11, 2026 (13.2 years).
VYM vs XYLD 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 13.2 years both funds cover.
VYM vs XYLD Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Global X S&P 500 Covered Call ETF (XYLD) is an ETF from Global X by mirae Asset. Over the past year VYM returned +17.57% while XYLD returned +17.92%. Year to date, VYM is up 13.91% versus a gain of 9.81% for XYLD.
Over three years, VYM compounded at +18.12% per year against +12.47% for XYLD; over five years the annualized figures are +12.17% and +7.61% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.83% annualized vs +5.00%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.4% compared with 11.2% for XYLD. 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 -34.7% for XYLD. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while XYLD charges 0.60%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $60 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.22% against 10.44% for XYLD.
Holdings Overlap
88.0% of VYM's money is in holdings XYLD also owns. 34.7% of XYLD's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside XYLD. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
241 positions in common, counted across the 603 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 490 in XYLD, against full books of 613 and 507.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 244 positions for XYLD that do not appear in our book for VYM (68.1% of the fund), and 329 for VYM that do not appear in XYLD (9.7%).
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 XYLD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 7.29% | 3.09% | 4.20% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 3.38% | 1.49% | 1.89% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson | 2.54% | 0.96% | 1.58% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 2.36% | 0.99% | 1.37% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.93% | 0.75% | 1.18% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 2.01% | 0.63% | 1.38% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.85% | 0.67% | 1.18% |
| BACBank Of America Corp. | 1.56% | 0.64% | 0.92% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Inc. | 1.56% | 0.58% | 0.98% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 1.46% | 0.54% | 0.92% |
88.0% of VYM is already inside XYLD.
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 XYLD?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while XYLD charges 0.60%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or XYLD?
Over the past year VYM returned +17.57% vs +17.92% for XYLD, so XYLD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), VYM annualized +9.83% vs +5.00% for XYLD. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or XYLD?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.4% annualized versus 11.2% for XYLD. Worst drawdown: VYM -35.7% vs XYLD -34.7%.
Should I hold both VYM and XYLD?
VYM and XYLD have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 XYLD?
88.0% of VYM's money is in holdings XYLD also owns. 34.7% of XYLD's is in holdings VYM also owns. They hold 241 positions in common, counted across the 603 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 490 in XYLD.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or XYLD?
VYM yields 2.22% while XYLD yields 10.44%, so XYLD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XYLD better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, XYLD over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.