VYM vs WNTR
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs YieldMax Short MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF
Which is better, VYM or WNTR?
Large Cap Value against Multi Alternative.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | VYM | WNTR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 1.00% |
| AUM | $78.9B | $56M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.37% | 165.39% |
| Holdings | 608 | 17 |
| YTD Return | +11.83%Best | -55.87% |
| 1Y Return | +15.96%Best | -29.38% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.60% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.51% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.4%Best | 59.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -11.3%Best | -67.3% |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $12,704Best | $6,770 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | YieldMax ETF |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Mar 26, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 27, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.5 years).
VYM vs WNTR 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
VYM vs WNTR Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and YieldMax Short MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF (WNTR) is an ETF from YieldMax ETF. Over the past year VYM returned +15.96% while WNTR returned -29.38%. Year to date, VYM is up 11.83% versus a loss of 55.87% for WNTR.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WNTR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 59.8% compared with 10.4% 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 -11.3% for VYM and -67.3% for WNTR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.04. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while WNTR charges 1.00%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $100 annually, a gap of $96 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.37% against 165.39% for WNTR.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 602 holdings in VYM and 2 in WNTR, totalling 100.0% and 18.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 602 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 2 in WNTR, against full books of 608 and 17.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VYM and WNTR 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, VYM or WNTR?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while WNTR charges 1.00%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $96 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or WNTR?
Over the past year VYM returned +15.96% vs -29.38% for WNTR, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), VYM annualized +17.30% vs -22.90% for WNTR. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or WNTR?
WNTR has been the more volatile fund at 59.8% annualized versus 10.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -11.3% vs WNTR -67.3%.
Should I hold both VYM and WNTR?
VYM and WNTR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.04, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or WNTR?
VYM yields 2.37% while WNTR yields 165.39%, so WNTR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WNTR better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.