VYM vs XLKI
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF
Which is better, VYM or XLKI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. XLKI 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 | XLKI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $78.9B | $31M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.37% | 17.88% |
| Holdings | 608 | 7 |
| YTD Return | +12.47% | +17.55%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.31% | +21.32%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.81% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.50% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.4%Best | 17.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -6.7%Best | -11.2% |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $12,130 | $12,938Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Jul 29, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 30, 2025 to Oct 15, 2026 (1.2 years).
VYM vs XLKI 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
VYM vs XLKI Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLKI) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year VYM returned +16.31% while XLKI returned +21.32%. Year to date, VYM is up 12.47% versus a gain of 17.55% for XLKI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XLKI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.0% 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 -6.7% for VYM and -11.2% for XLKI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.15. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while XLKI charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $35 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.37% against 17.88% for XLKI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 602 holdings in VYM and 2 in XLKI, totalling 100.0% and 100.4% 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 2 in XLKI, against full books of 608 and 7.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VYM and XLKI 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 XLKI?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while XLKI charges 0.35%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or XLKI?
Over the past year VYM returned +16.31% vs +21.32% for XLKI, so XLKI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), VYM annualized +17.46% vs +23.94% for XLKI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or XLKI?
XLKI has been the more volatile fund at 17.0% annualized versus 10.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -6.7% vs XLKI -11.2%.
Should I hold both VYM and XLKI?
VYM and XLKI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.15, 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 XLKI?
VYM yields 2.37% while XLKI yields 17.88%, so XLKI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLKI better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. XLKI 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.