VIOG vs VYM
Vanguard S&P Small Cap 600 Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, VIOG or VYM?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VIOG led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VIOG is less concentrated, with 9.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.8%.
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 | VIOG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.10% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.0B | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.79% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 353 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +12.42%Best | +11.83% |
| 1Y Return | +13.95% | +15.96%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.81% | +18.60%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.72% | +11.51%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.4% | 12.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.8% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,594 | $17,241Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.8%Best | 25.8% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 7, 2010 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Oct 14, 2026 (16.1 years).
VIOG 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 16.1 years both funds cover.
VIOG vs VYM Performance
Vanguard S&P Small Cap 600 Growth ETF (VIOG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VIOG returned +13.95% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, VIOG is up 12.42% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Over three years, VIOG compounded at +14.81% per year against +18.60% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +4.72% and +11.51% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VIOG has the edge at +11.55% annualized vs +10.41%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VIOG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.4% compared with 12.9% 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 -42.8% for VIOG and -35.7% 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VIOG charges 0.10% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $10 vs $4 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VIOG currently yields 0.79% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
14.0% of VIOG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.9% of VYM's money is in holdings VIOG also owns.
VIOG and VYM share little of their money.
59 positions in common, counted across the 350 positions we hold weights for in VIOG and 602 in VYM, against full books of 353 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 516 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for VIOG (97.0% of the fund), and 281 for VIOG that do not appear in VYM (83.1%).
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 VIOG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SXTSensient Technologies Corp | 0.65% | 0.02% | 0.63% |
| AROCArchrock, Inc. | 0.63% | 0.02% | 0.61% |
| VIRTVirtu Financial Inc Class A | 0.59% | 0.02% | 0.57% |
| IBPInstalled Building Products | 0.52% | 0.02% | 0.50% |
| YOUClear Secure Inc -Class A | 0.47% | 0.02% | 0.45% |
| STEPStepstone Group Lp | 0.44% | 0.02% | 0.42% |
| VCTRVictory Receivables Corp | 0.43% | 0.02% | 0.41% |
| CWENClearway Energy Inc | 0.42% | 0.02% | 0.40% |
| IRDMIridium Communications Inc | 0.38% | 0.02% | 0.36% |
| MKTXMarketaxess Holdings Inc?.? | 0.37% | 0.02% | 0.35% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VIOG 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, VIOG or VYM?
VIOG has an expense ratio of 0.10% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VIOG or VYM?
Over the past year VIOG returned +13.95% vs +15.96% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VIOG annualized +11.55% vs +10.41% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VIOG or VYM?
VIOG has been the more volatile fund at 18.4% annualized versus 12.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VIOG -42.8% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both VIOG and VYM?
VIOG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 VIOG and VYM?
14.0% of VIOG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.9% of VYM's is in holdings VIOG also owns. They hold 59 positions in common, counted across the 350 positions we hold weights for in VIOG and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, VIOG or VYM?
VIOG yields 0.79% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than VIOG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VIOG led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VIOG is less concentrated, with 9.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.