ISCB vs VYM
iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ISCB or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
ISCB led over 1Y, VYM over the full window.
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 | ISCB | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Tie | 0.04%Tie |
| AUM | $271M | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.27% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,571 | 608 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.3% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -61.9% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 19.9 years | $36,010 | $36,619Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small 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), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 11 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. ISCB has data through Oct 2, 2026 and VYM through Oct 13, 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
ISCB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% 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 -61.9% for ISCB 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ISCB charges 0.04% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $4 annually. On income, ISCB currently yields 1.27% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 7.1% of VYM's money is in holdings ISCB also owns.
Stated as a floor: for ISCB, our book for it covers 92.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VYM and ISCB share little of their money.
261 positions in common, counted across the 1,345 positions we hold weights for in ISCB and 557 in VYM, against full books of 1,571 and 608.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ISCB | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GILDGilead Sciences | 0.00% | 0.66% | 0.66% |
| BBYBest Buy Co Inc | 0.28% | 0.07% | 0.21% |
| IEXI D E X Corporation | 0.25% | 0.07% | 0.18% |
| RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated | 0.26% | 0.06% | 0.20% |
| GENGen Digital Inc | 0.26% | 0.06% | 0.20% |
| DINOHollyfrontier | 0.25% | 0.06% | 0.19% |
| PNFPPinnacle Financial Partners In Common Stock Usd1.0 | 0.23% | 0.06% | 0.17% |
| APAAPA Corp. | 0.24% | 0.05% | 0.19% |
| MASMasco Corp. | 0.22% | 0.06% | 0.16% |
| AIZAssurant, Inc. | 0.22% | 0.06% | 0.16% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ISCB 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, ISCB or VYM?
ISCB has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VYM charges 0.04%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which is riskier, ISCB or VYM?
ISCB has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ISCB -61.9% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both ISCB and VYM?
ISCB and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 ISCB and VYM?
At least 7.1% of VYM's money is in holdings ISCB also owns. Our book for ISCB is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 261 positions in common, counted across the 1,345 positions we hold weights for in ISCB and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ISCB or VYM?
ISCB yields 1.27% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ISCB?
ISCB led over 1Y, VYM over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.