IUS vs VYM
Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IUS or VYM?
IUS has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.8%.
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 | IUS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $964M | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.21% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,082 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +23.14%Best | +11.86% |
| 1Y Return | +29.97%Best | +16.81% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.72%Best | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.61%Best | +11.86% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.2%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,653Best | $17,514 |
| Top 10 Weight | 26.8% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 12, 2018 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 12, 2018 to Oct 13, 2026 (8.1 years).
IUS 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 8.1 years both funds cover.
IUS vs VYM Performance
Invesco RAFI Strategic US ETF (IUS) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IUS returned +29.97% while VYM returned +16.81%. Year to date, IUS is up 23.14% versus a gain of 11.86% for VYM.
Over three years, IUS compounded at +22.72% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +15.61% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, IUS has the edge at +15.03% annualized vs +9.88%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 15.6% 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 -35.2% for IUS 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
IUS charges 0.19% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $19 vs $4 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IUS currently yields 1.21% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
47.4% of IUS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 71.4% of VYM's money is in holdings IUS also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside IUS. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, IUS as of Sep 15, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
244 positions in common, counted across the 538 positions we hold weights for in IUS and 557 in VYM, against full books of 1,082 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 284 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IUS (25.7% of the fund), and 283 for IUS that do not appear in VYM (51.9%).
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 IUS | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.72% | 7.35% | 6.63% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 2.31% | 2.63% | 0.32% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.96% | 2.51% | 1.55% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 1.54% | 1.48% | 0.06% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 1.27% | 1.52% | 0.25% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.59% | 1.80% | 1.21% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.52% | 1.86% | 1.34% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.70% | 1.37% | 0.67% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.75% | 1.31% | 0.56% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 0.60% | 1.34% | 0.74% |
71.4% of VYM is already inside IUS.
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, IUS or VYM?
IUS has an expense ratio of 0.19% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IUS or VYM?
Over the past year IUS returned +29.97% vs +16.81% for VYM, so IUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), IUS annualized +15.03% vs +9.88% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IUS or VYM?
IUS has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 15.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IUS -35.2% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both IUS and VYM?
IUS 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 IUS and VYM?
71.4% of VYM's money is in holdings IUS also owns. 71.4% of VYM's is in holdings IUS also owns. They hold 244 positions in common, counted across the 538 positions we hold weights for in IUS and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IUS or VYM?
IUS yields 1.21% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IUS?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. IUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.