EQAL vs VYM
Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, EQAL or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. EQAL is less concentrated, with 4.9% 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 | EQAL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $810M | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.77% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 2,024 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +10.53% | +11.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.19% | +15.96%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.33% | +18.60%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.31% | +11.51%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.2% | 13.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -40.9% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,579 | $17,241Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 4.9%Best | 25.8% |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 23, 2014 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 29, 2014 to Oct 14, 2026 (11.8 years).
EQAL 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 11.8 years both funds cover.
EQAL vs VYM Performance
Invesco Russell 1000 Equal Weight ETF (EQAL) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year EQAL returned +13.19% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, EQAL is up 10.53% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Over three years, EQAL compounded at +15.33% per year against +18.60% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +6.31% and +11.51% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +8.73% annualized vs +8.13%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EQAL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.2% compared with 13.9% 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 -40.9% for EQAL and -35.7% 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 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EQAL charges 0.20% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $4 annually, a gap of $16 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EQAL currently yields 1.77% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
40.8% of EQAL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 84.9% of VYM's money is in holdings EQAL also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside EQAL. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
368 positions in common, counted across the 959 positions we hold weights for in EQAL and 602 in VYM, against full books of 2,024 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 210 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for EQAL (12.3% of the fund), and 561 for EQAL that do not appear in VYM (52.6%).
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 EQAL | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.06% | 6.94% | 6.88% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.23% | 2.70% | 2.47% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.09% | 2.58% | 2.49% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.46% | 1.76% | 1.30% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc Accenture Plc, Class A | 0.10% | 1.83% | 1.73% |
| CVXChevron Corp. | 0.23% | 1.54% | 1.31% |
| MRKMerck & Co | 0.09% | 1.47% | 1.38% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.17% | 1.39% | 1.22% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.18% | 1.36% | 1.18% |
| UNHUnited Health Group Inc. | 0.09% | 1.42% | 1.33% |
84.9% of VYM is already inside EQAL.
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, EQAL or VYM?
EQAL has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EQAL or VYM?
Over the past year EQAL returned +13.19% vs +15.96% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), EQAL annualized +8.13% vs +8.73% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EQAL or VYM?
EQAL has been the more volatile fund at 17.2% annualized versus 13.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: EQAL -40.9% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both EQAL and VYM?
EQAL and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between EQAL and VYM?
84.9% of VYM's money is in holdings EQAL also owns. 84.9% of VYM's is in holdings EQAL also owns. They hold 368 positions in common, counted across the 959 positions we hold weights for in EQAL and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, EQAL or VYM?
EQAL yields 1.77% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than EQAL?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. EQAL is less concentrated, with 4.9% 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.