SQEW vs VYM
LeaderShares Equity Skew ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SQEW or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | SQEW | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.84% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $16M | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.96% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 159 | 608 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.3% | 14.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -26.1% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5.5 years | $15,910 | $21,745Best |
| Fund Family | LeaderShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 11, 2020 | 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 355 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. SQEW has data through Oct 24, 2025 and VYM through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 5.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 12, 2020 to Oct 24, 2025 (5.5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SQEW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% compared with 14.3% 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 -26.1% for SQEW and -15.8% 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SQEW charges 0.84% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $84 vs $4 annually, a gap of $80 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SQEW currently yields 0.96% against 2.37% for VYM.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SQEW 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, SQEW or VYM?
SQEW has an expense ratio of 0.84% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $80 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, SQEW or VYM?
SQEW has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 14.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SQEW -26.1% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both SQEW and VYM?
SQEW and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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, SQEW or VYM?
SQEW yields 0.96% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SQEW?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.