LCAP vs VYM
Principal Capital Appreciation Select ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, LCAP or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. LCAP led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.1%.
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 | LCAP | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.9B | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.09% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 116 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +14.91%Best | +11.83% |
| 1Y Return | +17.74%Best | +15.96% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.60% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.51% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.3%Best | 10.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -11.3%Tie | -11.3%Tie |
| $10,000 over 1.6 years | $13,777Best | $12,858 |
| Top 10 Weight | 43.1% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Principal Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 25, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 26, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.6 years).
LCAP 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 1.6 years both funds cover.
LCAP vs VYM Performance
Principal Capital Appreciation Select ETF (LCAP) is an ETF from Principal Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year LCAP returned +17.74% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, LCAP is up 14.91% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.4% compared with 10.3% for LCAP. 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 -11.3% for LCAP and -11.3% 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LCAP charges 0.29% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $29 vs $4 annually, a gap of $25 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LCAP currently yields 0.09% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
20.1% of LCAP's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 23.6% of VYM's money is in holdings LCAP also owns.
VYM and LCAP share little of their money.
16 positions in common, counted across the 56 positions we hold weights for in LCAP and 602 in VYM, against full books of 116 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 557 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for LCAP (74.2% of the fund), and 37 for LCAP that do not appear in VYM (76.8%).
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 LCAP | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.55% | 6.94% | 4.39% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 2.81% | 3.83% | 1.02% |
| XOMExxonmobil Corp. | 1.71% | 2.70% | 0.99% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 1.99% | 1.39% | 0.60% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 1.16% | 1.65% | 0.49% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.82% | 1.83% | 1.01% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.94% | 1.42% | 0.48% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.73% | 1.47% | 0.74% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 1.68% | 0.44% | 1.24% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 1.10% | 0.72% | 0.38% |
23.6% of VYM is already inside LCAP.
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, LCAP or VYM?
LCAP has an expense ratio of 0.29% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $25 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LCAP or VYM?
Over the past year LCAP returned +17.74% vs +15.96% for VYM, so LCAP leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), LCAP annualized +22.17% vs +17.01% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LCAP or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 10.4% annualized versus 10.3% for LCAP. Worst drawdown: LCAP -11.3% vs VYM -11.3%.
Should I hold both LCAP and VYM?
LCAP and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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 LCAP and VYM?
23.6% of VYM's money is in holdings LCAP also owns. 23.6% of VYM's is in holdings LCAP also owns. They hold 16 positions in common, counted across the 56 positions we hold weights for in LCAP and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, LCAP or VYM?
LCAP yields 0.09% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than LCAP?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. LCAP led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.