ILCB vs VYM
iShares Morningstar US Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ILCB or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
ILCB has a lower expense ratio. ILCB led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.4%.
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 | ILCB | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.04% |
| AUM | $1.3B | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.96% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 530 | 608 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -52.8%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 19.9 years | $61,305Best | $36,619 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.4% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2004 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 12 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. ILCB has data through Oct 2, 2026 and VYM through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 19.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Oct 2, 2026 (19.9 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ILCB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% 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 -52.8% for ILCB 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ILCB charges 0.03% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $4 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ILCB currently yields 0.96% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
33.4% of ILCB's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 90.2% of VYM's money is in holdings ILCB also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside ILCB. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
233 positions in common, counted across the 527 positions we hold weights for in ILCB and 602 in VYM, against full books of 530 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 342 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for ILCB (8.8% of the fund), and 280 for ILCB that do not appear in VYM (66.0%).
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 ILCB | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.52% | 6.94% | 4.42% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.44% | 3.83% | 2.39% |
| XOMExxonmobil Corp. | 1.03% | 2.70% | 1.67% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.96% | 2.58% | 1.62% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.68% | 1.83% | 1.15% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.66% | 1.76% | 1.10% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 0.62% | 1.65% | 1.03% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.59% | 1.54% | 0.95% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.56% | 1.46% | 0.90% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.52% | 1.47% | 0.95% |
90.2% of VYM is already inside ILCB.
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, ILCB or VYM?
ILCB has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VYM charges 0.04%. ILCB is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, ILCB or VYM?
ILCB has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ILCB -52.8% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both ILCB and VYM?
ILCB and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, 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 ILCB and VYM?
90.2% of VYM's money is in holdings ILCB also owns. 90.2% of VYM's is in holdings ILCB also owns. They hold 233 positions in common, counted across the 527 positions we hold weights for in ILCB and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ILCB or VYM?
ILCB yields 0.96% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ILCB?
ILCB has a lower expense ratio. ILCB led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.