LQIG vs VYM
State Street SPDR MarketAxess Investment Grade 400 Corporate Bond ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, LQIG or VYM?
Long Term High Quality against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and 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 | LQIG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.07% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $28M | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.07% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 371 | 608 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.1%Best | 14.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -11.9%Best | -14.5% |
| $10,000 over 4 years | $11,524 | $16,438Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term High Quality | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 11, 2022 | 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 155 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. LQIG has data through May 12, 2026 and VYM through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 12, 2022 to May 12, 2026 (4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.4% compared with 9.1% for LQIG. 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 -11.9% for LQIG and -14.5% 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
LQIG charges 0.07% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $7 vs $4 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LQIG currently yields 5.07% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 82 holdings in LQIG and 602 in VYM, totalling 20.6% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 213 days apart, LQIG as of Jan 30, 2026 and VYM as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 82 positions we hold weights for in LQIG and 602 in VYM, against full books of 371 and 608.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LQIG 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, LQIG or VYM?
LQIG has an expense ratio of 0.07% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, LQIG or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 14.4% annualized versus 9.1% for LQIG. Worst drawdown: LQIG -11.9% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both LQIG and VYM?
LQIG 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, LQIG or VYM?
LQIG yields 5.07% while VYM yields 2.37%, so LQIG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than LQIG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.