STEN vs VYM
iShares Large Cap 10% Target Buffer Sep ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, STEN or VYM?
VYM has been ahead.
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 | STEN | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $41M | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.17% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 8 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +11.76% | +11.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.69% | +15.96%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.60% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.51% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.2%Best | 11.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -6.2%Best | -6.7% |
| $10,000 over 1 years | $11,326 | $11,494Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 30, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 1, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1 years).
STEN 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 1 years both funds cover.
STEN vs VYM Performance
iShares Large Cap 10% Target Buffer Sep ETF (STEN) 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 STEN returned +14.69% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, STEN is up 11.76% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.2% compared with 9.2% for STEN. 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 -6.2% for STEN and -6.7% 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 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
STEN charges 0.50% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $4 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, STEN currently yields 0.17% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in STEN and 602 in VYM, totalling 100.2% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in STEN and 602 in VYM, against full books of 8 and 608.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of STEN 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, STEN or VYM?
STEN has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, STEN or VYM?
Over the past year STEN returned +14.69% vs +15.96% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), STEN annualized +13.26% vs +14.94% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, STEN or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 11.2% annualized versus 9.2% for STEN. Worst drawdown: STEN -6.2% vs VYM -6.7%.
Should I hold both STEN and VYM?
STEN and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, 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, STEN or VYM?
STEN yields 0.17% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than STEN?
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.