State Street SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF (NANR) is a ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NANR returned +43.84% while VYM returned +25.56%. Year to date, NANR is up 19.59% versus a gain of 15.20% for VYM.

Over three years, NANR compounded at +17.38% per year against +17.86% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +18.38% and +12.35% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, NANR has the edge at +13.08% annualized vs +7.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

NANR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.5% compared with 14.6% 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 -51.1% for NANR and -58.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

NANR charges 0.35% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $4 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NANR currently yields 1.87% against 2.86% for VYM.