PRF vs VYM
Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, PRF or VYM?
Nearly the same fund. VYM costs less.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. PRF led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. PRF is less concentrated, with 23.7% 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 | PRF | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.34% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $10.0B | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.36% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 2,000 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +18.98%Best | +11.83% |
| 1Y Return | +25.61%Best | +15.96% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.16%Best | +18.60% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.14%Best | +11.51% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.9% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -61.6% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,539Best | $17,241 |
| Top 10 Weight | 23.7%Best | 25.8% |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 19, 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).
PRF 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.
PRF vs VYM Performance
Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF (PRF) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PRF returned +25.61% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, PRF is up 18.98% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Over three years, PRF compounded at +22.16% per year against +18.60% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +13.14% and +11.51% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, PRF has the edge at +8.81% annualized vs +6.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PRF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% 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 -61.6% for PRF 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 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PRF charges 0.34% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $34 vs $4 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PRF currently yields 1.36% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
51.1% of PRF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 92.2% of VYM's money is in holdings PRF also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside PRF. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
412 positions in common, counted across the 907 positions we hold weights for in PRF and 602 in VYM, against full books of 2,000 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 168 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for PRF (5.0% of the fund), and 467 for PRF that do not appear in VYM (45.0%).
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 PRF | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.54% | 6.94% | 6.40% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.62% | 3.83% | 2.21% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.91% | 2.70% | 0.79% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.07% | 2.58% | 1.51% |
| CVXChevron Corp. | 1.35% | 1.54% | 0.19% |
| BACBank Of America Corp. | 1.07% | 1.65% | 0.58% |
| UNHUnited Health Group Inc. | 1.14% | 1.42% | 0.28% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.75% | 1.76% | 1.01% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc Accenture Plc, Class A | 0.62% | 1.83% | 1.21% |
| MRKMerck & Co | 0.81% | 1.47% | 0.66% |
92.2% of VYM is already inside PRF.
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, PRF or VYM?
PRF has an expense ratio of 0.34% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $30 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PRF or VYM?
Over the past year PRF returned +25.61% vs +15.96% for VYM, so PRF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), PRF annualized +8.81% vs +6.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PRF or VYM?
PRF has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: PRF -61.6% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both PRF and VYM?
PRF and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, 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 PRF and VYM?
92.2% of VYM's money is in holdings PRF also owns. 92.2% of VYM's is in holdings PRF also owns. They hold 412 positions in common, counted across the 907 positions we hold weights for in PRF and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, PRF or VYM?
PRF yields 1.36% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than PRF?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. PRF led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. PRF is less concentrated, with 23.7% 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.