VFMV vs VFQY
Vanguard US Minimum Volatility ETF vs Vanguard US Quality Factor ETF
Which is better, VFMV or VFQY?
Each has led over a different period.
VFMV led over 5Y, VFQY over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VFQY is less concentrated, with 13.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 15.7%.
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 | VFMV | VFQY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.13%Tie | 0.13%Tie |
| AUM | $460M | $493M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.63% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 204 | 452 |
| YTD Return | +11.27% | +12.43%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.99% | +15.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.36% | +16.23%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.45%Best | +8.77% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.2%Best | 18.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.6%Best | -37.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,706Best | $15,225 |
| Top 10 Weight | 15.7% | 13.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 13, 2018 | Feb 13, 2018 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 15, 2018 to Oct 14, 2026 (8.7 years).
VFMV vs VFQY 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 8.7 years both funds cover.
VFMV vs VFQY Performance
Vanguard US Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard US Quality Factor ETF (VFQY) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VFMV returned +11.99% while VFQY returned +15.57%. Year to date, VFMV is up 11.27% versus a gain of 12.43% for VFQY.
Over three years, VFMV compounded at +15.36% per year against +16.23% for VFQY; over five years the annualized figures are +9.45% and +8.77% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VFQY has the edge at +11.20% annualized vs +9.64%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VFQY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.1% compared with 13.2% for VFMV. 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 -33.6% for VFMV and -37.4% for VFQY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VFMV charges 0.13% per year while VFQY charges 0.13%. On a $10,000 position that is $13 vs $13 annually. On income, VFMV currently yields 1.63% against 1.04% for VFQY.
Holdings Overlap
29.2% of VFMV's money is in holdings VFQY also owns. 24.6% of VFQY's money is in holdings VFMV also owns.
VFMV and VFQY share little of their money.
49 positions in common, counted across the 218 positions we hold weights for in VFMV and 469 in VFQY, against full books of 204 and 452.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 406 positions for VFQY that do not appear in our book for VFMV (73.7% of the fund), and 166 for VFMV that do not appear in VFQY (69.8%).
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 VFMV | Weight in VFQY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 1.69% | 1.22% | 0.47% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 1.54% | 1.29% | 0.25% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 1.53% | 1.25% | 0.28% |
| ROSTRoss Stores, Inc. | 1.22% | 1.24% | 0.02% |
| LRCXLrcx Uw Equity | 0.98% | 1.33% | 0.35% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.50% | 0.79% | 0.71% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 1.47% | 0.81% | 0.66% |
| CTASCintas Corp. | 0.91% | 1.27% | 0.36% |
| TJXTjx Cos., Inc. | 1.04% | 1.14% | 0.10% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 1.19% | 0.77% | 0.42% |
29.2% of VFMV is already inside VFQY.
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, VFMV or VFQY?
VFMV has an expense ratio of 0.13% while VFQY charges 0.13%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, VFMV or VFQY?
Over the past year VFMV returned +11.99% vs +15.57% for VFQY, so VFQY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), VFMV annualized +9.64% vs +11.20% for VFQY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VFMV or VFQY?
VFQY has been the more volatile fund at 18.1% annualized versus 13.2% for VFMV. Worst drawdown: VFMV -33.6% vs VFQY -37.4%.
Should I hold both VFMV and VFQY?
VFMV and VFQY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 VFMV and VFQY?
29.2% of VFMV's money is in holdings VFQY also owns. 24.6% of VFQY's is in holdings VFMV also owns. They hold 49 positions in common, counted across the 218 positions we hold weights for in VFMV and 469 in VFQY.
Which pays a higher dividend, VFMV or VFQY?
VFMV yields 1.63% while VFQY yields 1.04%, so VFMV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VFQY better than VFMV?
VFMV led over 5Y, VFQY over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VFQY is less concentrated, with 13.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 15.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.