MDYG vs VYM
State Street SPDR S&P 400 Mid Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MDYG or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MDYG led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. MDYG is less concentrated, with 14.5% 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 | MDYG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.9B | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.67% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 248 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +11.37% | +11.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.90% | +15.96%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.58% | +18.60%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.73% | +11.51%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.5% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.3% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,849 | $17,241Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 14.5%Best | 25.8% |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 8, 2005 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Oct 14, 2026 (19.9 years).
MDYG 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 19.9 years both funds cover.
MDYG vs VYM Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 400 Mid Cap Growth ETF (MDYG) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MDYG returned +14.90% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, MDYG is up 11.37% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Over three years, MDYG compounded at +15.58% per year against +18.60% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +6.73% and +11.51% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, MDYG has the edge at +8.77% annualized vs +6.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MDYG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.5% compared with 14.6% 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 -59.3% for MDYG and -58.8% 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MDYG charges 0.15% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $4 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MDYG currently yields 0.67% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
13.1% of MDYG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.6% of VYM's money is in holdings MDYG also owns.
MDYG and VYM share little of their money.
53 positions in common, counted across the 247 positions we hold weights for in MDYG and 602 in VYM, against full books of 248 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 522 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for MDYG (96.3% of the fund), and 190 for MDYG that do not appear in VYM (83.0%).
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 MDYG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SGISomnigroup International Inc | 0.84% | 0.00% | 0.84% |
| TXRHTexas Roadhouse Inc | 0.65% | 0.05% | 0.60% |
| DTMDT Midstream Inc | 0.52% | 0.05% | 0.47% |
| EWBCEast West Bancorp, Inc. | 0.50% | 0.07% | 0.43% |
| FLSFlowserve Corp. | 0.52% | 0.04% | 0.48% |
| FCFSFirstcash Inc | 0.48% | 0.03% | 0.45% |
| EQHEquitable Holdings Inc. | 0.40% | 0.06% | 0.34% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 0.40% | 0.03% | 0.37% |
| DCIDonaldson Co Inc | 0.38% | 0.04% | 0.34% |
| SFStifel Finl Corp | 0.37% | 0.05% | 0.32% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MDYG 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, MDYG or VYM?
MDYG has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MDYG or VYM?
Over the past year MDYG returned +14.90% vs +15.96% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), MDYG annualized +8.77% vs +6.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MDYG or VYM?
MDYG has been the more volatile fund at 18.5% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: MDYG -59.3% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both MDYG and VYM?
MDYG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 MDYG and VYM?
13.1% of MDYG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.6% of VYM's is in holdings MDYG also owns. They hold 53 positions in common, counted across the 247 positions we hold weights for in MDYG and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, MDYG or VYM?
MDYG yields 0.67% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MDYG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MDYG led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. MDYG is less concentrated, with 14.5% 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.