VYM vs YOKE
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs Yoke Core ETF
Which is better, VYM or YOKE?
Large Cap Value against Allocation/Balanced.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.8%.
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 | YOKE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.31% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $232M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 0.74% |
| Holdings | 613 | 53 |
| YTD Return | +13.91% | +13.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.57%Best | +14.35% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.12% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.17% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.9%Best | 12.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.8%Best | -14.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $12,634Best | $12,607 |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.9%Best | 34.8% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Yoke ETF |
| Category | Equity | Allocation/Balanced |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Allocation/Balanced |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Feb 21, 2025 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 24, 2025 to Sep 11, 2026 (1.5 years).
VYM vs YOKE 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
VYM vs YOKE Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Yoke Core ETF (YOKE) is an ETF from Yoke ETF. Over the past year VYM returned +17.57% while YOKE returned +14.35%. Year to date, VYM is up 13.91% versus a gain of 13.95% for YOKE.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
YOKE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.8% compared with 9.9% 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 -13.8% for VYM and -14.3% for YOKE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while YOKE charges 0.31%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $31 annually, a gap of $27 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.22% against 0.74% for YOKE.
Holdings Overlap
14.9% of VYM's money is in holdings YOKE also owns. 29.6% of YOKE's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
YOKE and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, VYM as of Jun 30, 2026 and YOKE as of Aug 17, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
16 positions in common, counted across the 603 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 52 in YOKE, against full books of 613 and 53.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 32 positions for YOKE that do not appear in our book for VYM (58.7% of the fund), and 552 for VYM that do not appear in YOKE (82.6%).
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 YOKE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JNJJohnson & Johnson | 2.54% | 3.12% | 0.58% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 2.36% | 2.51% | 0.15% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 2.01% | 1.49% | 0.52% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 1.31% | 1.97% | 0.66% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 1.46% | 1.70% | 0.24% |
| EBAYEbay Inc. | 0.21% | 2.66% | 2.45% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 1.42% | 1.20% | 0.22% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 0.81% | 1.76% | 0.95% |
| LMTLockheed Martin Corp | 0.43% | 2.14% | 1.71% |
| PCARPaccar Inc. | 0.26% | 2.16% | 1.90% |
29.6% of YOKE 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 YOKE?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while YOKE charges 0.31%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $27 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or YOKE?
Over the past year VYM returned +17.57% vs +14.35% for YOKE, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), VYM annualized +16.87% vs +16.70% for YOKE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or YOKE?
YOKE has been the more volatile fund at 12.8% annualized versus 9.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -13.8% vs YOKE -14.3%.
Should I hold both VYM and YOKE?
VYM and YOKE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 YOKE?
29.6% of YOKE's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 29.6% of YOKE's is in holdings VYM also owns. They hold 16 positions in common, counted across the 603 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 52 in YOKE.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or YOKE?
VYM yields 2.22% while YOKE yields 0.74%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is YOKE better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.