VOX vs VYM
Vanguard Communication Services ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, VOX or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VOX led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 69.1%.
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 | VOX | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $6.0B | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 115 | 608 |
| YTD Return | -0.46% | +11.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.67% | +15.96%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.95%Best | +18.60% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.08% | +11.51%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.2% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -57.2%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,078 | $17,241Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 69.1% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 23, 2004 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Oct 14, 2026 (19.9 years).
VOX 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 19.9 years both funds cover.
VOX vs VYM Performance
Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VOX returned +4.67% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, VOX is down 0.46% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Over three years, VOX compounded at +21.95% per year against +18.60% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +7.08% and +11.51% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VOX has the edge at +7.57% annualized vs +6.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.2% compared with 14.6% 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 -57.2% for VOX and -58.8% 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VOX charges 0.09% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $4 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VOX currently yields 0.98% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
23.5% of VOX's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 3.4% of VYM's money is in holdings VOX also owns.
VOX and VYM share little of their money.
14 positions in common, counted across the 110 positions we hold weights for in VOX and 602 in VYM, against full books of 115 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 559 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for VOX (94.5% of the fund), and 92 for VOX that do not appear in VYM (75.1%).
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 VOX | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VZVerizon Wireless | 4.53% | 0.84% | 3.69% |
| DISWalt Disney Co | 4.49% | 0.77% | 3.72% |
| TAt&t Inc Com | 4.40% | 0.71% | 3.69% |
| CMCSAComcast Corp. Class A | 3.04% | 0.38% | 2.66% |
| TMUST-Mobile Usa Inc Esrw Usd Npv Ref Sm#585558 | 2.78% | 0.35% | 2.43% |
| OMCOmnicom Group Inc. | 1.51% | 0.10% | 1.41% |
| FOXAFox Corp. Class A | 0.58% | 0.05% | 0.53% |
| MTCHMatch Group Inc | 0.54% | 0.04% | 0.50% |
| FOXFox Corp | 0.48% | 0.03% | 0.45% |
| NXSTNexstar Media Group Inc | 0.32% | 0.02% | 0.30% |
23.5% of VOX 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.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VOX or VYM?
VOX has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VOX or VYM?
Over the past year VOX returned +4.67% vs +15.96% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VOX annualized +7.57% vs +6.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VOX or VYM?
VOX has been the more volatile fund at 17.2% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VOX -57.2% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both VOX and VYM?
VOX and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 VOX and VYM?
23.5% of VOX's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 3.4% of VYM's is in holdings VOX also owns. They hold 14 positions in common, counted across the 110 positions we hold weights for in VOX and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, VOX or VYM?
VOX yields 0.98% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than VOX?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VOX led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 69.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.