LSAF vs VYM
LeaderShares AlphaFactor US Core Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, LSAF or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. LSAF led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VYM over 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. LSAF is less concentrated, with 10.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.8%.
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 | LSAF | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $128M | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.58% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 204 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +20.98%Best | +11.83% |
| 1Y Return | +25.31%Best | +15.96% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.89%Best | +18.60% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.43% | +11.51%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.2% | 15.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -41.7% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,180 | $17,241Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 10.2%Best | 25.8% |
| Fund Family | LeaderShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 1, 2018 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 2, 2018 to Oct 14, 2026 (8 years).
LSAF 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 years both funds cover.
LSAF vs VYM Performance
LeaderShares AlphaFactor US Core Equity ETF (LSAF) is an ETF from LeaderShares and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year LSAF returned +25.31% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, LSAF is up 20.98% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Over three years, LSAF compounded at +20.89% per year against +18.60% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +11.43% and +11.51% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, LSAF has the edge at +10.99% annualized vs +9.90%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LSAF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.2% compared with 15.5% 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 -41.7% for LSAF 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
LSAF charges 0.75% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $4 annually, a gap of $71 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LSAF currently yields 0.58% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
45.1% of LSAF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 6.9% of VYM's money is in holdings LSAF also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
46 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in LSAF and 602 in VYM, against full books of 204 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 527 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for LSAF (91.0% of the fund), and 51 for LSAF that do not appear in VYM (50.0%).
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 LSAF | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DISWalt Disney Co | 0.95% | 0.77% | 0.18% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 0.99% | 0.65% | 0.34% |
| DELLDell Technologies Inc | 1.01% | 0.55% | 0.46% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 1.03% | 0.44% | 0.59% |
| VLOValero Energy | 1.01% | 0.43% | 0.58% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 1.00% | 0.31% | 0.69% |
| MMM3m Co. | 0.94% | 0.36% | 0.58% |
| TRVThe Travelers Cos, Inc. | 0.98% | 0.31% | 0.67% |
| ALLAllstate Corp. | 0.97% | 0.27% | 0.70% |
| DDominion Energy Inc. | 0.99% | 0.23% | 0.76% |
45.1% of LSAF is already inside VYM.
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, LSAF or VYM?
LSAF has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $71 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LSAF or VYM?
Over the past year LSAF returned +25.31% vs +15.96% for VYM, so LSAF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), LSAF annualized +10.99% vs +9.90% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LSAF or VYM?
LSAF has been the more volatile fund at 19.2% annualized versus 15.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: LSAF -41.7% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both LSAF and VYM?
LSAF 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 LSAF and VYM?
45.1% of LSAF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 6.9% of VYM's is in holdings LSAF also owns. They hold 46 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in LSAF and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, LSAF or VYM?
LSAF yields 0.58% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than LSAF?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. LSAF led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VYM over 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. LSAF is less concentrated, with 10.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.