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VYM vs IAU: Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs iShares Gold Trust Comparison

Compare VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) by expense ratio, dividend yield, holdings, and more.

Key Differences

  • 1Expense ratio: VYM 0.06% vs IAU 0.25% (VYM is 0.19%p cheaper)
  • 2Dividend yield: VYM 2.75% vs IAU 0%
  • 3Category: VYM is Dividend ETFs, IAU is Bonds & Commodities
  • 4Holdings: VYM 537 vs IAU 1
  • 5Issuer: VYM (Vanguard) vs IAU (BlackRock(iShares))

Conclusion

Recommended:VYM

VYM has an overall advantage with lower expense ratio (0.06% vs 0.25%), higher dividend yield (2.75% vs 0%). However, IAU also offers Lower expense ratio than GLD, making it worth considering depending on your portfolio goals.

CategoryVYMIAU
Fund NameVanguard High Dividend Yield ETFiShares Gold Trust
Current Price......
CategoryDividend ETFsBonds & Commodities
Expense Ratio0.06%0.25%
Dividend Yield2.75%0%
Holdings5371

VYM Top Holdings

  1. 1. Broadcom
  2. 2. JPMorgan
  3. 3. Exxon Mobil
  4. 4. Procter & Gamble

IAU Top Holdings

  1. 1. Physical Gold

VYM Features

  • •High dividend
  • •Large-cap stocks
  • •Diversified investment
  • •Low expense ratio

IAU Features

  • •Gold investing
  • •Inflation hedge
  • •Safe-haven asset
  • •Low cost

Pros & Cons

VYM

Advantages
  • ✓ High dividend income
  • ✓ Stable companies
  • ✓ Low volatility
Disadvantages
  • ⚠ Limited growth potential
  • ⚠ Interest rate sensitive
  • ⚠ Sector bias

IAU

Advantages
  • ✓ Lower expense ratio than GLD
  • ✓ Inflation defense
  • ✓ Portfolio diversification
Disadvantages
  • ⚠ No interest income
  • ⚠ Storage costs
  • ⚠ Disadvantaged during dollar strength

Investment Strategy

Best For: VYM

Suitable for income investors; diversify with SCHD

Best For: IAU

Allocate 5-10% of portfolio to gold; alternative to GLD

Detailed Analysis

1. 분석

VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) They belong to different categories — Dividend ETFs and Bonds & Commodities — representing distinct investment areas. VYM: Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an exchange-traded fund that provides investors with exposure to dividend-paying equities. It carries an expense ratio of 0.06%. The fund offers a dividend yield of approximately 2.75%. The portfolio holds 537 securities. With an expense ratio of 0.06% and dividend yield of 2.75%, its top holdings include Broadcom, JPMorgan, Exxon Mobil. Key features include High dividend, Large-cap stocks, with High dividend income being a major advantage. IAU: iShares Gold Trust (IAU) is an exchange-traded fund that provides investors with exposure to bonds, gold, and other commodities. It carries an expense ratio of 0.25%. The portfolio holds 1 securities. With an expense ratio of 0.25% and dividend yield of 0%, top holdings include Physical Gold. Notable features are Gold investing, Inflation hedge, with Lower expense ratio than GLD as a core strength. In terms of expense ratio, VYM is 0.19%p cheaper, which can lead to significant cost savings through compounding over long-term investment. Over 20 years with a $100,000 investment, this difference can amount to thousands of dollars.

2. 추천

VYM is suitable for Suitable for income investors; diversify with SCHD, while IAU is suitable for Allocate 5-10% of portfolio to gold; alternative to GLD. Since they are in different categories, holding both can provide portfolio diversification benefits. Adjust the allocation based on your risk tolerance and investment horizon. For beginners, we recommend a core-satellite strategy: choose a low-cost, well-diversified ETF as your core holding, and allocate the rest to satellite positions.

3. 결론

Both VYM and IAU are excellent ETFs for their respective investment objectives. The key is to choose based on your investment goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. Rather than focusing on a single metric (dividend yield, fees, etc.), evaluate from a holistic portfolio perspective. Use our rebalancing calculator to easily determine the optimal asset allocation including both ETFs.

VYM vs IAU Investment Guide

Both VYM and IAU are popular US ETFs, but they differ in investment strategy and portfolio role. VYM has an expense ratio of 0.06%, while IAU charges 0.25%, giving VYM a cost advantage. In terms of dividend yield, VYM offers 2.75% while IAU offers 0%, making VYM the better choice for income investors.

When choosing between the two, consider your investment goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. If long-term growth is your priority, favor the ETF with lower fees and broader diversification. If you need steady cash flow, the higher-yielding ETF may be more suitable. You can also hold both in your portfolio for a complementary approach.

Regardless of which ETF you choose, maintaining your target allocation through regular rebalancing is key to long-term performance. Review your portfolio quarterly or semi-annually, and adjust if weights have drifted significantly. Our rebalancing calculator can automatically determine the buy/sell quantities for each holding.

5 Things to Check When Comparing ETFs

1.

Expense Ratio: Even a 0.1% difference in fees can translate to thousands of dollars over long-term investing. When two ETFs track a similar index, the lower-cost option has the edge.

2.

Tracking Index & Holdings: Even ETFs in the same category may track different indices. Review the top holdings and sector weights to find the best fit for your investment goals.

3.

Dividend Policy: Compare dividend frequency (monthly vs quarterly), yield, and dividend growth rate. Monthly dividend ETFs may be preferable if you need regular cash flow.

4.

Trading Volume & Liquidity: Sufficient daily trading volume ensures you can buy and sell at fair prices. Low-volume ETFs may have wider bid-ask spreads, increasing your trading costs.

5.

Portfolio Role: Determine whether the ETF serves as a core or satellite holding in your portfolio, and size your position accordingly.

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VYM Detail Analysis
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IAU Detail Analysis
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ETF Selection Guide
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