VYM vs XT
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF
Which is better, VYM or XT?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Growth.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 5Y, XT over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 35.4%.
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 | XT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.46% |
| AUM | $78.9B | $4.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.37% | 6.87% |
| Holdings | 608 | 221 |
| YTD Return | +11.83% | +18.69%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.96% | +23.99%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.60% | +19.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.51%Best | +7.63% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.9%Best | 17.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.7% | -34.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,241Best | $14,443 |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.8%Best | 35.4% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Mar 19, 2015 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 24, 2015 to Oct 14, 2026 (11.6 years).
VYM vs XT 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 11.6 years both funds cover.
VYM vs XT Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and iShares Future Exponential Technologies ETF (XT) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year VYM returned +15.96% while XT returned +23.99%. Year to date, VYM is up 11.83% versus a gain of 18.69% for XT.
Over three years, VYM compounded at +18.60% per year against +19.98% for XT; over five years the annualized figures are +11.51% and +7.63% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, XT has the edge at +11.67% annualized vs +9.10%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% compared with 13.9% 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 -35.7% for VYM and -34.4% for XT. 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 XT charges 0.46%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $46 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.37% against 6.87% for XT.
Holdings Overlap
24.3% of VYM's money is in holdings XT also owns. 27.9% of XT's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
XT and VYM share little of their money.
30 positions in common, counted across the 602 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 195 in XT, against full books of 608 and 221.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 68 positions for XT that do not appear in our book for VYM (47.7% of the fund), and 543 for VYM that do not appear in XT (73.6%).
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 VYM | Weight in XT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 6.94% | 1.76% | 5.18% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 2.58% | 2.96% | 0.38% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 0.96% | 4.22% | 3.26% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.83% | 2.25% | 0.42% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 0.71% | 3.22% | 2.51% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 1.47% | 1.71% | 0.24% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.76% | 1.20% | 0.56% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.86% | 1.06% | 0.20% |
| GILDGilead Sciences | 0.73% | 0.87% | 0.14% |
| PFEPfizer Inc | 0.65% | 0.79% | 0.14% |
27.9% of XT 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 XT?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while XT charges 0.46%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or XT?
Over the past year VYM returned +15.96% vs +23.99% for XT, so XT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), VYM annualized +9.10% vs +11.67% for XT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or XT?
XT has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 13.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -35.7% vs XT -34.4%.
Should I hold both VYM and XT?
VYM and XT 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.
What is the holdings overlap between VYM and XT?
27.9% of XT's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 27.9% of XT's is in holdings VYM also owns. They hold 30 positions in common, counted across the 602 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 195 in XT.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or XT?
VYM yields 2.37% while XT yields 6.87%, so XT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XT better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 5Y, XT over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 35.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.