MIDU vs VYM
Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MIDU or VYM?
Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MIDU led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VYM over 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 27.1%.
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 | MIDU | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.99% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $62M | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.48% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 812 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +13.28%Best | +11.83% |
| 1Y Return | +20.44%Best | +15.96% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.21%Best | +18.60% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.55% | +11.51%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 53.3% | 13.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -86.5% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,728 | $17,241Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 27.1% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Equity | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 8, 2009 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 8, 2009 to Oct 14, 2026 (17.8 years).
MIDU 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 17.8 years both funds cover.
MIDU vs VYM Performance
Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X ETF (MIDU) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MIDU returned +20.44% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, MIDU is up 13.28% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Over three years, MIDU compounded at +23.21% per year against +18.60% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -0.55% and +11.51% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, MIDU has the edge at +15.18% annualized vs +10.23%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MIDU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 53.3% compared with 13.9% 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 -86.5% for MIDU 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MIDU charges 0.99% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $99 vs $4 annually, a gap of $95 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MIDU currently yields 0.48% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
24.8% of MIDU's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 4.3% of VYM's money is in holdings MIDU also owns.
MIDU and VYM share little of their money.
145 positions in common, counted across the 401 positions we hold weights for in MIDU and 602 in VYM, against full books of 812 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 430 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for MIDU (93.6% of the fund), and 250 for MIDU that do not appear in VYM (74.8%).
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 MIDU | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. | 0.45% | 0.08% | 0.37% |
| PRPermian Resource | 0.43% | 0.07% | 0.36% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 0.41% | 0.07% | 0.34% |
| EWBCEast West Bancorp, Inc. | 0.41% | 0.07% | 0.34% |
| DINOHollyfrontier | 0.38% | 0.06% | 0.32% |
| RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated | 0.38% | 0.06% | 0.32% |
| PNFPPinnacle Financial Partners In Common Stock Usd1.0 | 0.35% | 0.06% | 0.29% |
| EQHEquitable Holdings Inc. | 0.35% | 0.06% | 0.29% |
| UNMUnum Group | 0.32% | 0.06% | 0.26% |
| SGISomnigroup International Inc | 0.36% | 0.00% | 0.36% |
24.8% of MIDU 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, MIDU or VYM?
MIDU has an expense ratio of 0.99% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $95 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MIDU or VYM?
Over the past year MIDU returned +20.44% vs +15.96% for VYM, so MIDU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), MIDU annualized +15.18% vs +10.23% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MIDU or VYM?
MIDU has been the more volatile fund at 53.3% annualized versus 13.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: MIDU -86.5% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both MIDU and VYM?
MIDU and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 MIDU and VYM?
24.8% of MIDU's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 4.3% of VYM's is in holdings MIDU also owns. They hold 145 positions in common, counted across the 401 positions we hold weights for in MIDU and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, MIDU or VYM?
MIDU yields 0.48% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MIDU?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. MIDU led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VYM over 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 27.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.