THEQ vs VYM
T. Rowe Price Hedged Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, THEQ or VYM?
Large 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 | THEQ | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.46% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $38M | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.74% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 120 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +8.45% | +11.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.15% | +15.96%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.60% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.51% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.8%Best | 10.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.1%Best | -11.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $12,159 | $12,704Best |
| Fund Family | T.Rowe Price | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 26, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 27, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.5 years).
THEQ 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
THEQ vs VYM Performance
T. Rowe Price Hedged Equity ETF (THEQ) is an ETF from T.Rowe Price and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year THEQ returned +10.15% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, THEQ is up 8.45% 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 10.4% compared with 7.8% for THEQ. 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 -8.1% for THEQ and -11.3% 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 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
THEQ charges 0.46% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $46 vs $4 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, THEQ currently yields 0.74% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 41.1% of VYM's money is in holdings THEQ also owns.
Stated as a floor: for THEQ, our book for it covers 93.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
53 positions in common, counted across the 111 positions we hold weights for in THEQ and 602 in VYM, against full books of 120 and 608.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in THEQ | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.08% | 6.94% | 6.86% |
| XOMExxonmobil Corp. | 0.16% | 2.70% | 2.54% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.22% | 2.58% | 2.36% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.26% | 1.76% | 1.50% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.02% | 1.83% | 1.81% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.26% | 1.47% | 1.21% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.19% | 1.36% | 1.17% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.15% | 1.39% | 1.24% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.09% | 1.42% | 1.33% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 0.18% | 1.18% | 1.00% |
41.1% of VYM is already inside THEQ.
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, THEQ or VYM?
THEQ has an expense ratio of 0.46% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, THEQ or VYM?
Over the past year THEQ returned +10.15% vs +15.96% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), THEQ annualized +13.92% vs +17.30% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, THEQ or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 10.4% annualized versus 7.8% for THEQ. Worst drawdown: THEQ -8.1% vs VYM -11.3%.
Should I hold both THEQ and VYM?
THEQ and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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 THEQ and VYM?
At least 41.1% of VYM's money is in holdings THEQ also owns. Our book for THEQ is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 53 positions in common, counted across the 111 positions we hold weights for in THEQ and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, THEQ or VYM?
THEQ yields 0.74% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than THEQ?
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.