ASG vs VYM
Liberty All-Star Growth Fund Inc. vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ASG or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ASG is less concentrated, with 21.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.8%.
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 | ASG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.12% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $376M | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.05% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 119 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +0.96% | +11.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.26% | +15.96%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.85% | +18.60%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -2.63% | +11.51%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.8% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -68.5% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,752 | $17,241Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 21.1%Best | 25.8% |
| Fund Family | Liberty All Star Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 14, 1986 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Oct 14, 2026 (19.9 years).
ASG 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 19.9 years both funds cover.
ASG vs VYM Performance
Liberty All-Star Growth Fund Inc. (ASG) is an ETF from Liberty All Star Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ASG returned -1.26% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, ASG is up 0.96% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Over three years, ASG compounded at +9.85% per year against +18.60% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -2.63% and +11.51% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.82% annualized vs +2.17%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ASG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.8% compared with 14.6% 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 -68.5% for ASG and -58.8% 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ASG charges 1.12% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $112 vs $4 annually, a gap of $108 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ASG currently yields 8.05% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
10.0% of ASG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 12.3% of VYM's money is in holdings ASG also owns.
VYM and ASG share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, ASG as of Jun 30, 2026 and VYM as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
15 positions in common, counted across the 118 positions we hold weights for in ASG and 602 in VYM, against full books of 119 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 558 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for ASG (85.6% of the fund), and 92 for ASG that do not appear in VYM (81.8%).
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 ASG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.09% | 6.94% | 5.85% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.57% | 1.46% | 0.89% |
| MSMorgan Stanley | 0.41% | 0.96% | 0.55% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 0.46% | 0.90% | 0.44% |
| TPRTapestry Inc. | 1.15% | 0.10% | 1.05% |
| GILDGilead Sciences | 0.39% | 0.73% | 0.34% |
| RJFRaymond James Financial Inc. | 0.94% | 0.12% | 0.82% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 0.32% | 0.71% | 0.39% |
| FASTFastenal Co. | 0.78% | 0.23% | 0.55% |
| SXTSensient Technologies Corp | 0.84% | 0.02% | 0.82% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ASG 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, ASG or VYM?
ASG has an expense ratio of 1.12% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $108 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ASG or VYM?
Over the past year ASG returned -1.26% vs +15.96% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), ASG annualized +2.17% vs +6.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ASG or VYM?
ASG has been the more volatile fund at 21.8% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ASG -68.5% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both ASG and VYM?
ASG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 ASG and VYM?
12.3% of VYM's money is in holdings ASG also owns. 12.3% of VYM's is in holdings ASG also owns. They hold 15 positions in common, counted across the 118 positions we hold weights for in ASG and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ASG or VYM?
ASG yields 8.05% while VYM yields 2.37%, so ASG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ASG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ASG is less concentrated, with 21.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.