IQSM vs VFMV
NYLIM Candriam US Mid Cap Equity ETF vs Vanguard US Minimum Volatility ETF
Which is better, IQSM or VFMV?
Each has led over a different period.
VFMV has a lower expense ratio. IQSM led over 1Y, VFMV over 3Y and the full window. IQSM is less concentrated, with 8.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 15.7%.
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 | IQSM | VFMV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.13%Best |
| AUM | $360M | $460M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.07% | 1.63% |
| Holdings | 248 | 204 |
| YTD Return | +10.14% | +11.27%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.22%Best | +11.99% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.53% | +15.36%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.45% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.5% | 9.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.7% | -10.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 4 years | $15,590 | $16,109Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 8.3%Best | 15.7% |
| Fund Family | New York Life Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 25, 2022 | Feb 13, 2018 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 25, 2022 to Oct 14, 2026 (4 years).
IQSM vs VFMV 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 4 years both funds cover.
IQSM vs VFMV Performance
NYLIM Candriam US Mid Cap Equity ETF (IQSM) is an ETF from New York Life Investments and Vanguard US Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IQSM returned +14.22% while VFMV returned +11.99%. Year to date, IQSM is up 10.14% versus a gain of 11.27% for VFMV.
Over three years, IQSM compounded at +14.53% per year against +15.36% for VFMV. Across the full 4-year window we track, VFMV has the edge at +12.66% annualized vs +11.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IQSM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.5% compared with 9.7% for VFMV. 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 -23.7% for IQSM and -10.3% for VFMV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IQSM charges 0.15% per year while VFMV charges 0.13%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $13 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IQSM currently yields 1.07% against 1.63% for VFMV.
Holdings Overlap
6.5% of IQSM's money is in holdings VFMV also owns. 6.2% of VFMV's money is in holdings IQSM also owns.
IQSM and VFMV share little of their money.
16 positions in common, counted across the 246 positions we hold weights for in IQSM and 218 in VFMV, against full books of 248 and 204.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 199 positions for VFMV that do not appear in our book for IQSM (92.5% of the fund), and 223 for IQSM that do not appear in VFMV (90.7%).
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 IQSM | Weight in VFMV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRUSCirrus Logic Inc | 0.24% | 1.43% | 1.19% |
| PTCPtc, Inc.(A) | 0.86% | 0.64% | 0.22% |
| SWKSSkyworks Solutions Inc. | 0.52% | 0.98% | 0.46% |
| TRMBTrimble Inc. | 0.55% | 0.60% | 0.05% |
| NWSANews Corp A | 0.42% | 0.65% | 0.23% |
| EHCEmcompass Health Corporation | 0.48% | 0.48% | 0.00% |
| NYTNew York Times Co | 0.40% | 0.34% | 0.06% |
| DTMDT Midstream Inc | 0.51% | 0.22% | 0.29% |
| TYLTyler Technologies Inc | 0.54% | 0.17% | 0.37% |
| SEICSei Investments Co. | 0.38% | 0.29% | 0.09% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IQSM and VFMV 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, IQSM or VFMV?
IQSM has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VFMV charges 0.13%. VFMV is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IQSM or VFMV?
Over the past year IQSM returned +14.22% vs +11.99% for VFMV, so IQSM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), IQSM annualized +11.74% vs +12.66% for VFMV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IQSM or VFMV?
IQSM has been the more volatile fund at 16.5% annualized versus 9.7% for VFMV. Worst drawdown: IQSM -23.7% vs VFMV -10.3%.
Should I hold both IQSM and VFMV?
IQSM and VFMV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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 IQSM and VFMV?
6.5% of IQSM's money is in holdings VFMV also owns. 6.2% of VFMV's is in holdings IQSM also owns. They hold 16 positions in common, counted across the 246 positions we hold weights for in IQSM and 218 in VFMV.
Which pays a higher dividend, IQSM or VFMV?
IQSM yields 1.07% while VFMV yields 1.63%, so VFMV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VFMV better than IQSM?
VFMV has a lower expense ratio. IQSM led over 1Y, VFMV over 3Y and the full window. IQSM is less concentrated, with 8.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 15.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.