SIZE vs VYM
iShares MSCI USA Size Factor ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SIZE or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SIZE led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. SIZE is less concentrated, with 3.9% 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 | SIZE | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $428M | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.42% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 519 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +9.55% | +11.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.94% | +15.96%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.15% | +18.60%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.49% | +11.51%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3% | 13.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.1% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,350 | $17,241Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 3.9%Best | 25.8% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 16, 2013 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 18, 2013 to Oct 14, 2026 (13.5 years).
SIZE 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 13.5 years both funds cover.
SIZE vs VYM Performance
iShares MSCI USA Size Factor ETF (SIZE) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SIZE returned +11.94% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, SIZE is up 9.55% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Over three years, SIZE compounded at +16.15% per year against +18.60% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +7.49% and +11.51% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, SIZE has the edge at +10.47% annualized vs +9.58%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SIZE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 13.4% 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 -39.1% for SIZE 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 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SIZE 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, SIZE currently yields 1.42% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
43.8% of SIZE's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 89.5% of VYM's money is in holdings SIZE also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside SIZE. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
233 positions in common, counted across the 516 positions we hold weights for in SIZE and 602 in VYM, against full books of 519 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 341 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SIZE (8.6% of the fund), and 266 for SIZE that do not appear in VYM (52.9%).
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 SIZE | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.14% | 6.94% | 6.80% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.19% | 3.83% | 3.64% |
| XOMExxonmobil Corp. | 0.17% | 2.70% | 2.53% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.19% | 2.58% | 2.39% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.21% | 1.83% | 1.62% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.16% | 1.76% | 1.60% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 0.19% | 1.65% | 1.46% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.18% | 1.54% | 1.36% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.22% | 1.47% | 1.25% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.17% | 1.46% | 1.29% |
89.5% of VYM is already inside SIZE.
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, SIZE or VYM?
SIZE 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, SIZE or VYM?
Over the past year SIZE returned +11.94% vs +15.96% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), SIZE annualized +10.47% vs +9.58% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SIZE or VYM?
SIZE has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 13.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SIZE -39.1% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both SIZE and VYM?
SIZE and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, 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 SIZE and VYM?
89.5% of VYM's money is in holdings SIZE also owns. 89.5% of VYM's is in holdings SIZE also owns. They hold 233 positions in common, counted across the 516 positions we hold weights for in SIZE and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SIZE or VYM?
SIZE yields 1.42% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SIZE?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SIZE led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. SIZE is less concentrated, with 3.9% 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.