AQWA vs VYM
Global X Clean Water ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, AQWA or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.0%.
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 | AQWA | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $21M | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.66% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 90 | 608 |
| YTD Return | -4.13% | +11.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | -6.11% | +15.96%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.77% | +18.60%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.62% | +11.51%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.3% | 13.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -29.4% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,946 | $17,241Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 59.0% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Global X by mirae Asset | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 8, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 12, 2021 to Oct 14, 2026 (5.5 years).
AQWA vs VYM 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 5.5 years both funds cover.
AQWA vs VYM Performance
Global X Clean Water ETF (AQWA) is an ETF from Global X by mirae Asset and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AQWA returned -6.11% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, AQWA is down 4.13% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Over three years, AQWA compounded at +9.77% per year against +18.60% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +3.62% and +11.51% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +11.46% annualized vs +4.60%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AQWA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% compared with 13.5% 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 -29.4% for AQWA and -15.8% 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AQWA charges 0.50% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $4 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AQWA currently yields 1.66% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
41.4% of AQWA's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.5% of VYM's money is in holdings AQWA also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
9 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in AQWA and 602 in VYM, against full books of 90 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 564 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for AQWA (97.3% of the fund), and 14 for AQWA that do not appear in VYM (28.3%).
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 AQWA | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWKAmerican Water Works Co. Inc. | 8.27% | 0.11% | 8.16% |
| FERGFerguson Enterprises | 7.89% | 0.17% | 7.72% |
| XYLXylem,Inc. | 7.36% | 0.11% | 7.25% |
| WTRGEssential Utilities Inc - Common | 6.16% | 0.05% | 6.11% |
| AOSAo Smith Corp. | 3.75% | 0.03% | 3.72% |
| PRMBPrimo Brands Corp | 2.79% | 0.02% | 2.77% |
| AWRAmerican States Water Co | 1.98% | 0.01% | 1.97% |
| CWTCalifornia Water Service Group | 1.72% | 0.01% | 1.71% |
| SJWSjw Corp | 1.43% | 0.01% | 1.42% |
41.4% of AQWA 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, AQWA or VYM?
AQWA has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AQWA or VYM?
Over the past year AQWA returned -6.11% vs +15.96% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), AQWA annualized +4.60% vs +11.46% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AQWA or VYM?
AQWA has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 13.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: AQWA -29.4% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both AQWA and VYM?
AQWA and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 AQWA and VYM?
41.4% of AQWA's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.5% of VYM's is in holdings AQWA also owns. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in AQWA and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, AQWA or VYM?
AQWA yields 1.66% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than AQWA?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.