APRQ vs VYM
Innovator Premium Income 40 Barrier ETF - April vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, APRQ or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y 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 | APRQ | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $18M | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.07% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 5 | 608 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 1.7%Best | 12.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -1.7%Best | -9.9% |
| $10,000 over 2 years | $10,847 | $12,866Best |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 3, 2023 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 561 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. APRQ has data through Apr 1, 2025 and VYM through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 3, 2023 to Apr 1, 2025 (2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.7% compared with 1.7% for APRQ. 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 -1.7% for APRQ and -9.9% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.58. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
APRQ charges 0.79% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $4 annually, a gap of $75 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, APRQ currently yields 5.07% against 2.37% for VYM.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of APRQ and VYM 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, APRQ or VYM?
APRQ has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $75 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, APRQ or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 12.7% annualized versus 1.7% for APRQ. Worst drawdown: APRQ -1.7% vs VYM -9.9%.
Should I hold both APRQ and VYM?
APRQ and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.58, 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, APRQ or VYM?
APRQ yields 5.07% while VYM yields 2.37%, so APRQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than APRQ?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.