VYM vs WSMD
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs Wasatch Small/Mid Cap ETF
Which is better, VYM or WSMD?
Large Cap Value against Mid Cap Blend.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. WSMD is less concentrated, with 19.1% 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 | VYM | WSMD |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.75% |
| AUM | $78.9B | $12M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.37% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 608 | 184 |
| YTD Return | +11.83%Best | -4.50% |
| 1Y Return | +15.96% | - |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.60% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.51% | - |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.8% | 19.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Wasatch Global Investors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Jul 29, 2026 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
VYM vs WSMD 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
VYM vs WSMD Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Wasatch Small/Mid Cap ETF (WSMD) is an ETF from Wasatch Global Investors. Year to date, VYM is up 11.83% versus a loss of 4.50% for WSMD.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while WSMD charges 0.75%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $75 annually, a gap of $71 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.37% against 0.00% for WSMD.
Holdings Overlap
1.0% of VYM's money is in holdings WSMD also owns. 24.6% of WSMD's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
WSMD and VYM share little of their money.
28 positions in common, counted across the 602 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 90 in WSMD, against full books of 608 and 184.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 60 positions for WSMD that do not appear in our book for VYM (72.6% of the fund), and 545 for VYM that do not appear in WSMD (96.8%).
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 VYM | Weight in WSMD | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCIDonaldson Co Inc | 0.04% | 1.14% | 1.10% |
| VTRSViatris | 0.08% | 1.09% | 1.01% |
| HLNEHamilton Lane Inc | 0.02% | 1.14% | 1.12% |
| SLGNSilgan Holdings Inc | 0.01% | 1.10% | 1.09% |
| NDAQNasdaq Inc. | 0.18% | 0.89% | 0.71% |
| RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. | 0.08% | 0.93% | 0.85% |
| LEALear Corp. | 0.03% | 0.95% | 0.92% |
| AVTAvnet Inc | 0.03% | 0.95% | 0.92% |
| ZIONZions Bancorp Na | 0.04% | 0.93% | 0.89% |
| FULHb Fuller | 0.01% | 0.96% | 0.95% |
24.6% of WSMD 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, VYM or WSMD?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while WSMD charges 0.75%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $71 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between VYM and WSMD?
24.6% of WSMD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 24.6% of WSMD's is in holdings VYM also owns. They hold 28 positions in common, counted across the 602 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 90 in WSMD.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or WSMD?
VYM yields 2.37% while WSMD yields 0.00%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WSMD better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. WSMD is less concentrated, with 19.1% 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.