IAK vs VYM
iShares US Insurance ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IAK or VYM?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IAK led over 5Y, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 66.8%.
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 | IAK | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $441M | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.63% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 140 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +7.53% | +11.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.96% | +15.96%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.31% | +18.60%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.61%Best | +11.51% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.6% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -78.0% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,927Best | $17,241 |
| Top 10 Weight | 66.8% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 1, 2006 | 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).
IAK 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.
IAK vs VYM Performance
iShares US Insurance ETF (IAK) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IAK returned +8.96% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, IAK is up 7.53% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Over three years, IAK compounded at +16.31% per year against +18.60% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +13.61% and +11.51% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.82% annualized vs +5.62%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IAK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.6% 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 -78.0% for IAK 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IAK charges 0.37% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $37 vs $4 annually, a gap of $33 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IAK currently yields 2.63% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
85.4% of IAK's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 3.3% of VYM's money is in holdings IAK also owns.
Most of IAK is already inside VYM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
32 positions in common, counted across the 60 positions we hold weights for in IAK and 602 in VYM, against full books of 140 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 543 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IAK (94.6% of the fund), and 28 for IAK that do not appear in VYM (14.5%).
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 IAK | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGRProgressive Corp. | 13.58% | 0.51% | 13.07% |
| CBChubbltd. | 12.88% | 0.48% | 12.40% |
| TRVTravelers Cos., Inc. | 8.35% | 0.31% | 8.04% |
| ALLAllstate Corp. | 6.29% | 0.27% | 6.02% |
| METMetlife Inc. | 4.59% | 0.21% | 4.38% |
| AFLAflac Corp. | 4.51% | 0.21% | 4.30% |
| AIGAmerican International Group Inc | 4.54% | 0.16% | 4.38% |
| PRUPrudential Financial Inc. | 4.48% | 0.16% | 4.32% |
| HIGHartford Financial Services Group Inc. | 3.92% | 0.15% | 3.77% |
| CINFCincinnati Financial Corp. | 2.86% | 0.10% | 2.76% |
85.4% of IAK 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, IAK or VYM?
IAK has an expense ratio of 0.37% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $33 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IAK or VYM?
Over the past year IAK returned +8.96% vs +15.96% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IAK annualized +5.62% vs +6.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IAK or VYM?
IAK has been the more volatile fund at 20.6% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IAK -78.0% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both IAK and VYM?
IAK and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 IAK and VYM?
85.4% of IAK's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 3.3% of VYM's is in holdings IAK also owns. They hold 32 positions in common, counted across the 60 positions we hold weights for in IAK and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IAK or VYM?
IAK yields 2.63% while VYM yields 2.37%, so IAK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IAK?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IAK led over 5Y, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 66.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.