VXF vs VYM
Vanguard Extended Market ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, VXF or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VXF led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VXF is less concentrated, with 6.7% 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 | VXF | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $30.2B | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.05% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 3,385 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +8.47% | +11.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.89% | +15.96%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.45% | +18.60%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.00% | +11.51%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.6% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.4% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,763 | $17,241Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 6.7%Best | 25.8% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 27, 2001 | 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).
VXF 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.
VXF vs VYM Performance
Vanguard Extended Market ETF (VXF) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VXF returned +8.89% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, VXF is up 8.47% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Over three years, VXF compounded at +18.45% per year against +18.60% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +5.00% and +11.51% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VXF has the edge at +8.14% annualized vs +6.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.6% 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 -59.4% for VXF 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VXF charges 0.05% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $4 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VXF currently yields 1.05% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
21.6% of VXF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 7.1% of VYM's money is in holdings VXF also owns.
VXF and VYM share little of their money.
328 positions in common, counted across the 3,278 positions we hold weights for in VXF and 602 in VYM, against full books of 3,385 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 259 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for VXF (90.8% of the fund), and 1,400 for VXF that do not appear in VYM (71.6%).
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 VXF | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FERGFerguson Enterprises Inc | 0.55% | 0.17% | 0.38% |
| RPRXRoyalty Pharma | 0.27% | 0.10% | 0.17% |
| MKLMarkel Group Inc | 0.28% | 0.07% | 0.21% |
| RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. | 0.25% | 0.08% | 0.17% |
| EWBCEast West Bancorp, Inc. | 0.22% | 0.07% | 0.15% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 0.21% | 0.07% | 0.14% |
| PRPermian Resources Corp Class A | 0.20% | 0.07% | 0.13% |
| SSNCSs&C Technologies Holdings Inc. | 0.19% | 0.07% | 0.12% |
| RGAReinsurance Group of America, Incorporated | 0.19% | 0.06% | 0.13% |
| PNFPPinnacle Financial Partners In Common Stock Usd1.0 | 0.19% | 0.06% | 0.13% |
21.6% of VXF 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, VXF or VYM?
VXF has an expense ratio of 0.05% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VXF or VYM?
Over the past year VXF returned +8.89% vs +15.96% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VXF annualized +8.14% vs +6.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VXF or VYM?
VXF has been the more volatile fund at 19.6% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VXF -59.4% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both VXF and VYM?
VXF 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 VXF and VYM?
21.6% of VXF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 7.1% of VYM's is in holdings VXF also owns. They hold 328 positions in common, counted across the 3,278 positions we hold weights for in VXF and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, VXF or VYM?
VXF yields 1.05% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than VXF?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VXF led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VXF is less concentrated, with 6.7% 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.