VYM vs WTRE
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs WisdomTree New Economy Real Estate Fund
Which is better, VYM or WTRE?
VYM has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.7%.
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 | WTRE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.58% |
| AUM | $78.9B | $14M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.37% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 608 | 70 |
| YTD Return | +11.83%Best | +0.65% |
| 1Y Return | +15.96%Best | -6.71% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.60%Best | +13.93% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.51%Best | -1.19% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7%Best | 21.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -58.8%Best | -75.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,241Best | $9,419 |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.8%Best | 47.7% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | WisdomTree Investments |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Jun 5, 2007 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 5, 2007 to Oct 14, 2026 (19.4 years).
VYM vs WTRE 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 19.4 years both funds cover.
VYM vs WTRE Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and WisdomTree New Economy Real Estate Fund (WTRE) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments. Over the past year VYM returned +15.96% while WTRE returned -6.71%. Year to date, VYM is up 11.83% versus a gain of 0.65% for WTRE.
Over three years, VYM compounded at +18.60% per year against +13.93% for WTRE; over five years the annualized figures are +11.51% and -1.19% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.52% annualized vs -3.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WTRE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.1% compared with 14.7% 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 -58.8% for VYM and -75.9% for WTRE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while WTRE charges 0.58%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $58 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.37% against 2.59% for WTRE.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 602 holdings in VYM and 57 in WTRE, totalling 100.0% and 99.4% 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 57 in WTRE, against full books of 608 and 70.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 29 positions for WTRE that do not appear in our book for VYM (66.4% of the fund), and 573 for VYM that do not appear in WTRE (97.9%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VYM and WTRE 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 WTRE?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while WTRE charges 0.58%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or WTRE?
Over the past year VYM returned +15.96% vs -6.71% for WTRE, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), VYM annualized +6.52% vs -3.69% for WTRE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or WTRE?
WTRE has been the more volatile fund at 21.1% annualized versus 14.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -58.8% vs WTRE -75.9%.
Should I hold both VYM and WTRE?
VYM and WTRE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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 WTRE?
VYM yields 2.37% while WTRE yields 2.59%, so WTRE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WTRE better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.