VYM vs YLDW
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs Westwood Enhanced Income Opportunity ETF
Which is better, VYM or YLDW?
Large Cap Value against Allocation/Balanced.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 28.3%.
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 | YLDW |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.79% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $40M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 5.82% |
| Holdings | 613 | 146 |
| YTD Return | +13.15%Best | +6.50% |
| 1Y Return | +17.82% | - |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.99% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.16% | - |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.9%Best | 28.3% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Westwood Funds |
| Category | Equity | Allocation/Balanced |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Allocation/Balanced |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Dec 11, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
VYM vs YLDW 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
VYM vs YLDW Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Westwood Enhanced Income Opportunity ETF (YLDW) is an ETF from Westwood Funds. Year to date, VYM is up 13.15% versus a gain of 6.50% for YLDW.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while YLDW charges 0.79%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $79 annually, a gap of $75 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.22% against 5.82% for YLDW.
Holdings Overlap
24.5% of VYM's money is in holdings YLDW also owns. 46.0% of YLDW's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 51 days apart, VYM as of Jun 30, 2026 and YLDW as of Aug 20, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
23 positions in common, counted across the 603 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 85 in YLDW, against full books of 613 and 146.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 57 positions for YLDW that do not appear in our book for VYM (40.4% of the fund), and 545 for VYM that do not appear in YLDW (73.0%).
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 YLDW | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 7.29% | 2.11% | 5.18% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 3.38% | 2.65% | 0.73% |
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 1.32% | 3.23% | 1.91% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.93% | 2.43% | 0.50% |
| GILDGilead Sciences Inc | 0.65% | 3.61% | 2.96% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 1.05% | 2.55% | 1.50% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 1.17% | 1.90% | 0.73% |
| DELLDell Technologies Inc. | 0.54% | 2.19% | 1.65% |
| MSMorgan Stanley | 0.97% | 1.74% | 0.77% |
| GDGeneral Dynamics Corp. | 0.38% | 2.30% | 1.92% |
46.0% of YLDW 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.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VYM or YLDW?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while YLDW charges 0.79%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $75 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between VYM and YLDW?
46.0% of YLDW's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 46.0% of YLDW's is in holdings VYM also owns. They hold 23 positions in common, counted across the 603 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 85 in YLDW.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or YLDW?
VYM yields 2.22% while YLDW yields 5.82%, so YLDW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is YLDW better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 28.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.