VYM vs XYLE
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs Global X S&P 500 ESG Covered Call ETF
Which is better, VYM or XYLE?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Growth.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over the full window, XYLE over 1Y.
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 | XYLE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.60% |
| AUM | $78.9B | $3M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.37% | 16.97% |
| Holdings | 608 | 317 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.3% | 6.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -9.9% | -8.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 2 years | $13,237Best | $13,069 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | GLOBALXETFS |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Feb 21, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 607 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. VYM has data through Oct 14, 2026 and XYLE through Feb 14, 2025.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 22, 2023 to Feb 14, 2025 (2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.3% compared with 6.2% for XYLE. 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 -9.9% for VYM and -8.0% for XYLE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while XYLE charges 0.60%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $60 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.37% against 16.97% for XYLE.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VYM and XYLE 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 XYLE?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while XYLE charges 0.60%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, VYM or XYLE?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 12.3% annualized versus 6.2% for XYLE. Worst drawdown: VYM -9.9% vs XYLE -8.0%.
Should I hold both VYM and XYLE?
VYM and XYLE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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 XYLE?
VYM yields 2.37% while XYLE yields 16.97%, so XYLE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XYLE better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over the full window, XYLE over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.