SLY vs VYM
SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SLY or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SLY led over the full window, VYM over 1Y.
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 | SLY | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.7B | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.62% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 605 | 608 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.6% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.1% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 16.6 years | $39,455Best | $22,335 |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 8, 2005 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 1223 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. SLY has data through Jun 9, 2023 and VYM through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 16.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Jun 9, 2023 (16.6 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SLY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.6% compared with 15.1% 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 -60.1% for SLY 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SLY 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, SLY currently yields 1.62% against 2.37% for VYM.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SLY 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, SLY or VYM?
SLY 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 is riskier, SLY or VYM?
SLY has been the more volatile fund at 20.6% annualized versus 15.1% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SLY -60.1% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both SLY and VYM?
SLY and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, SLY or VYM?
SLY yields 1.62% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SLY?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. SLY led over the full window, VYM over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.