VLLU vs VYM
Harbor AlphaEdge Large Cap Value ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, VLLU or VYM?
Each has led over a different period.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VLLU led over 1Y, VYM over the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.4%.
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 | VLLU | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $5M | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.35% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 75 | 608 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.7% | 10.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -16.6% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 2 years | $13,865 | $13,915Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.4% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Harbor Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 3, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 47 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. VLLU has data through Aug 28, 2026 and VYM through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 5, 2024 to Aug 28, 2026 (2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VLLU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.7% compared with 10.5% 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 -16.6% for VLLU 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VLLU charges 0.25% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $4 annually, a gap of $21 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VLLU currently yields 1.35% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
51.4% of VLLU's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 32.7% of VYM's money is in holdings VLLU also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, VLLU as of Jun 30, 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.
45 positions in common, counted across the 74 positions we hold weights for in VLLU and 602 in VYM, against full books of 75 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 528 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for VLLU (65.1% of the fund), and 25 for VLLU that do not appear in VYM (46.1%).
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 VLLU | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 4.75% | 2.58% | 2.17% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 3.30% | 1.65% | 1.65% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.58% | 3.83% | 3.25% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 3.01% | 0.90% | 2.11% |
| SEICSei Investments Co. | 3.42% | 0.05% | 3.37% |
| XOMExxonmobil Corp. | 0.68% | 2.70% | 2.02% |
| GDGeneral Dynamics Corp. | 2.85% | 0.38% | 2.47% |
| MOAltria Group Inc | 2.63% | 0.46% | 2.17% |
| SYFSynchrony Financial | 2.85% | 0.10% | 2.75% |
| TELTE Connectivity PLC Common Stock | 2.52% | 0.24% | 2.28% |
51.4% of VLLU is already inside VYM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VLLU or VYM?
VLLU has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $21 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, VLLU or VYM?
VLLU has been the more volatile fund at 10.7% annualized versus 10.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VLLU -16.6% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both VLLU and VYM?
VLLU and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 VLLU and VYM?
51.4% of VLLU's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 32.7% of VYM's is in holdings VLLU also owns. They hold 45 positions in common, counted across the 74 positions we hold weights for in VLLU and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, VLLU or VYM?
VLLU yields 1.35% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than VLLU?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VLLU led over 1Y, VYM over the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.