VYM vs YCS
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs ProShares UltraShort Yen ETF
Which is better, VYM or YCS?
Each has led over a different period.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 3Y and the full window, YCS over 1Y and 5Y.
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 | YCS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.95% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $28M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 613 | 4 |
| YTD Return | +11.35%Best | +4.26% |
| 1Y Return | +15.34% | +20.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.22%Best | +13.34% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.30% | +23.13%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.2%Best | 19.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.7%Best | -49.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,861 | $28,302Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | ProShares |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Value | - |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Nov 24, 2008 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 25, 2008 to Sep 18, 2026 (17.8 years).
VYM vs YCS 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 17.8 years both funds cover.
VYM vs YCS Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and ProShares UltraShort Yen ETF (YCS) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year VYM returned +15.34% while YCS returned +20.01%. Year to date, VYM is up 11.35% versus a gain of 4.26% for YCS.
Over three years, VYM compounded at +17.22% per year against +13.34% for YCS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.30% and +23.13% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.36% annualized vs +6.24%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
YCS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.3% compared with 14.2% 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 -49.6% for YCS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.05. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while YCS charges 0.95%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $95 annually, a gap of $91 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.22% against 0.00% for YCS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 557 holdings in VYM and 1 in YCS, totalling 99.2% and 25.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 1 in YCS, against full books of 613 and 4.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VYM and YCS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VYM or YCS?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while YCS charges 0.95%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $91 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or YCS?
Over the past year VYM returned +15.34% vs +20.01% for YCS, so YCS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), VYM annualized +10.36% vs +6.24% for YCS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or YCS?
YCS has been the more volatile fund at 19.3% annualized versus 14.2% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -35.7% vs YCS -49.6%.
Should I hold both VYM and YCS?
VYM and YCS have a monthly-return correlation of -0.05, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or YCS?
VYM yields 2.22% while YCS yields 0.00%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is YCS better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 3Y and the full window, YCS over 1Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.