VYM vs YEAR
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs AB Ultra Short Income ETF
Which is better, VYM or YEAR?
Large Cap Value against Ultrashort Term Bond.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window.
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 | YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.25% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $1.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 4.03% |
| Holdings | 613 | 165 |
| YTD Return | +12.29%Best | +1.76% |
| 1Y Return | +16.61%Best | +3.18% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.42%Best | +4.77% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.12% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.7% | 0.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -14.5% | -0.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 4 years | $17,502Best | $12,049 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | AllianceBernstein L.P. |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Ultrashort Term Bond |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Sep 13, 2022 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 16, 2022 to Sep 17, 2026 (4 years).
VYM vs YEAR 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 4 years both funds cover.
VYM vs YEAR Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and AB Ultra Short Income ETF (YEAR) is an ETF from AllianceBernstein L.P.. Over the past year VYM returned +16.61% while YEAR returned +3.18%. Year to date, VYM is up 12.29% versus a gain of 1.76% for YEAR.
Over three years, VYM compounded at +17.42% per year against +4.77% for YEAR. Across the full 4-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +15.02% annualized vs +4.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.7% compared with 0.9% for YEAR. 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 -14.5% for VYM and -0.6% for YEAR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.22. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while YEAR 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 4.03% for YEAR.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 557 holdings in VYM and 106 in YEAR, totalling 99.2% and 59.0% of the two funds. That is not enough of YEAR to divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 106 in YEAR, against full books of 613 and 165.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VYM | Weight in YEAR | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WUWestern Union Co (The) | 0.01% | 0.49% | 0.48% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VYM and YEAR 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 YEAR?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while YEAR charges 0.25%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $21 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or YEAR?
Over the past year VYM returned +16.61% vs +3.18% for YEAR, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), VYM annualized +15.02% vs +4.77% for YEAR. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or YEAR?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 12.7% annualized versus 0.9% for YEAR. Worst drawdown: VYM -14.5% vs YEAR -0.6%.
Should I hold both VYM and YEAR?
VYM and YEAR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.22, 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 YEAR?
VYM yields 2.22% while YEAR yields 4.03%, so YEAR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is YEAR better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.