KBWD vs VYM
Invesco KBW High Dividend Yield Financial ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, KBWD or VYM?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.7%.
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 | KBWD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 5.39% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $346M | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 15.52% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 80 | 608 |
| YTD Return | -16.69% | +11.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | -12.55% | +15.96%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +1.06% | +18.60%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -2.41% | +11.51%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.1% | 12.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -65.2% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,852 | $17,241Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.7% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 2, 2010 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 2, 2010 to Oct 14, 2026 (15.9 years).
KBWD 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 15.9 years both funds cover.
KBWD vs VYM Performance
Invesco KBW High Dividend Yield Financial ETF (KBWD) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year KBWD returned -12.55% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, KBWD is down 16.69% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Over three years, KBWD compounded at +1.06% per year against +18.60% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -2.41% and +11.51% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.00% annualized vs -1.24%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KBWD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.1% compared with 12.9% 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 -65.2% for KBWD 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KBWD charges 5.39% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $539 vs $4 annually, a gap of $535 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KBWD currently yields 15.52% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
12.0% of KBWD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.3% of VYM's money is in holdings KBWD also owns.
KBWD and VYM share little of their money.
7 positions in common, counted across the 37 positions we hold weights for in KBWD and 602 in VYM, against full books of 80 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 566 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for KBWD (97.6% of the fund), and 30 for KBWD that do not appear in VYM (86.3%).
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 KBWD | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WUWestern Union Co. | 3.09% | 0.01% | 3.08% |
| APAMArtisan Partners Asset Management, Inc. | 1.84% | 0.01% | 1.83% |
| NWBINorthwest Bancshares Inc | 1.60% | 0.01% | 1.59% |
| PRUPrudential Financial Inc. | 1.42% | 0.16% | 1.26% |
| FIBKFirst Interstate Bancsystem Inc | 1.54% | 0.01% | 1.53% |
| LNCLincoln National Corp. | 1.27% | 0.03% | 1.24% |
| BENFranklin Resources Inc. | 1.22% | 0.04% | 1.18% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of KBWD 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, KBWD or VYM?
KBWD has an expense ratio of 5.39% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $535 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KBWD or VYM?
Over the past year KBWD returned -12.55% vs +15.96% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), KBWD annualized -1.24% vs +10.00% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KBWD or VYM?
KBWD has been the more volatile fund at 21.1% annualized versus 12.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: KBWD -65.2% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both KBWD and VYM?
KBWD and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 KBWD and VYM?
12.0% of KBWD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.3% of VYM's is in holdings KBWD also owns. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 37 positions we hold weights for in KBWD and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, KBWD or VYM?
KBWD yields 15.52% while VYM yields 2.37%, so KBWD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than KBWD?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.