STRV vs VYM
Strive 500 ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, STRV or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. STRV led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.2%.
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 | STRV | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.1B | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.05% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 507 | 608 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.8% | 13.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.0% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.7 years | $20,066Best | $17,098 |
| Top 10 Weight | 36.2% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Strive Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 15, 2022 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 131 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. STRV has data through Jun 5, 2026 and VYM through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 16, 2022 to Jun 5, 2026 (3.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
STRV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.8% compared with 13.0% 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 -19.0% for STRV and -14.5% 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
STRV charges 0.05% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $4 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, STRV currently yields 1.05% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
34.8% of STRV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 87.0% of VYM's money is in holdings STRV also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside STRV. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 153 days apart, STRV as of Mar 31, 2026 and VYM as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
219 positions in common, counted across the 496 positions we hold weights for in STRV and 602 in VYM, against full books of 507 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 351 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for STRV (10.0% of the fund), and 256 for STRV that do not appear in VYM (63.5%).
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 STRV | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.59% | 6.94% | 4.35% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.39% | 3.83% | 2.44% |
| XOMExxonmobil Corp. | 1.20% | 2.70% | 1.50% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.05% | 2.58% | 1.53% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.68% | 1.83% | 1.15% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.50% | 1.76% | 1.26% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 0.60% | 1.65% | 1.05% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.66% | 1.54% | 0.88% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.61% | 1.46% | 0.85% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.53% | 1.47% | 0.94% |
87.0% of VYM is already inside STRV.
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, STRV or VYM?
STRV has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, STRV or VYM?
STRV has been the more volatile fund at 13.8% annualized versus 13.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: STRV -19.0% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both STRV and VYM?
STRV and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between STRV and VYM?
87.0% of VYM's money is in holdings STRV also owns. 87.0% of VYM's is in holdings STRV also owns. They hold 219 positions in common, counted across the 496 positions we hold weights for in STRV and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, STRV or VYM?
STRV yields 1.05% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than STRV?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. STRV led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.