So, here we are. Two exchange-traded funds, both promising income. Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM), and the ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL). It’s a little like choosing between two slightly less awful ways to face the inevitable heat death of the universe. So it goes.
Both funds, naturally, hold stocks that pay dividends. VYM casts a wide net, grabbing 589 of them. NOBL is more… selective. Just 70 stocks, all having increased their payouts for at least 25 years. A quarter of a century. That’s a long time. Longer than most of us will remember, probably.
The Numbers, Such as They Are
| Metric | VYM | NOBL |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Vanguard | ProShares |
| Expense Ratio | 0.04% | 0.35% |
| 1-yr Return (as of 2026-02-04) | 15.6% | 11.2% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.3% | 2.0% |
| Beta | 0.79 | 0.85 |
| AUM | $75.0 billion | $11.9 billion |
The expense ratio. That’s where it starts to feel a little… sad. VYM charges 0.04%. NOBL, 0.35%. A significant difference. It’s like paying a slightly larger ransom for the same fleeting illusion of security. And VYM’s yield is a bit higher too – 2.3% versus 2.0%. Small victories, I suppose.
Performance & Risk: A Brief Respite From Meaninglessness
| Metric | VYM | NOBL |
|---|---|---|
| Max Drawdown (5 y) | (15.83%) | (17.92%) |
| Growth of $1,000 over 5 years | $1,616 | $1,396 |
Over five years, a thousand dollars in VYM grew to $1,616. NOBL? $1,396. Not a fortune, naturally. But enough to buy a decent television, or perhaps a week’s worth of existential dread. The max drawdown suggests VYM is slightly less prone to sudden, dramatic plunges. Though, in the grand scheme, it’s all just a temporary rearrangement of digits.
What’s Inside: The Usual Suspects
NOBL’s holdings are… aristocratic, as the name suggests. Amcor, Pepsico, Grainger. Solid companies. Predictable. VYM, on the other hand, is a bit more… democratic. Broadcom, JPMorgan Chase, ExxonMobil. A wider spread. More exposure to the whims of fate. Both funds cap sector concentration, which is sensible. Trying to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket, even though the basket is ultimately destined for the landfill.
VYM’s diversification might appeal to those who prefer a broader, less concentrated approach. NOBL, with its focus on dividend aristocrats, offers a more targeted, potentially less volatile experience. Though, volatility is just a fancy word for the universe reminding you that it doesn’t care.
What This Means, If Anything
Over ten years, VYM returned 235%, with a CAGR of 12.9%. NOBL? 198%, with a CAGR of 11.5%. A difference. Enough to perhaps delay the inevitable for a few more years. But ultimately, time marches on. And markets, well, they do what markets do.
VYM wins on most fronts: lower fees, higher yield, superior historic returns. But NOBL has its appeal. A more focused strategy. A sense of… stability. Though, stability is just a temporary illusion. So it goes.
In the end, choosing between VYM and NOBL is a bit like choosing between two shades of gray. Neither is particularly exciting. But both might offer a small measure of comfort in a world that is, let’s face it, fundamentally absurd.
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2026-02-11 18:43