UPSD vs VYM
Aptus Large Cap Upside ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, UPSD or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. UPSD led over 1Y, VYM over 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 | UPSD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $129M | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.59% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 103 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +14.77%Best | +11.83% |
| 1Y Return | +16.52%Best | +15.96% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.60% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.51% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.0% | 10.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.9% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $12,252 | $12,641Best |
| Fund Family | Aptus ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 20, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 21, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.9 years).
UPSD 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 1.9 years both funds cover.
UPSD vs VYM Performance
Aptus Large Cap Upside ETF (UPSD) is an ETF from Aptus ETFs and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year UPSD returned +16.52% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, UPSD is up 14.77% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UPSD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.0% compared with 10.9% 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 -23.9% for UPSD 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
UPSD charges 0.79% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $4 annually, a gap of $75 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, UPSD currently yields 0.59% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 32.1% of VYM's money is in holdings UPSD also owns.
Stated as a floor: for UPSD, our book for it covers 94.8% 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.
47 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in UPSD and 602 in VYM, against full books of 103 and 608.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in UPSD | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.89% | 6.94% | 6.05% |
| XOMExxonmobil Corp. | 1.44% | 2.70% | 1.26% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.28% | 2.58% | 1.30% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.02% | 1.83% | 0.81% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 1.15% | 1.39% | 0.24% |
| DELLDell Technologies Inc | 1.78% | 0.55% | 1.23% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.64% | 1.47% | 0.83% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.71% | 1.36% | 0.65% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 1.62% | 0.44% | 1.18% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 0.71% | 1.18% | 0.47% |
32.1% of VYM is already inside UPSD.
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, UPSD or VYM?
UPSD has an expense ratio of 0.79% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $75 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, UPSD or VYM?
Over the past year UPSD returned +16.52% vs +15.96% for VYM, so UPSD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), UPSD annualized +11.28% vs +13.13% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, UPSD or VYM?
UPSD has been the more volatile fund at 14.0% annualized versus 10.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: UPSD -23.9% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both UPSD and VYM?
UPSD and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 UPSD and VYM?
At least 32.1% of VYM's money is in holdings UPSD also owns. Our book for UPSD is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 47 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in UPSD and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, UPSD or VYM?
UPSD yields 0.59% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than UPSD?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. UPSD led over 1Y, VYM over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.