Strive 1000 Dividend Growth ETF (STXD) is a ETF from Strive Asset Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year STXD returned +19.28% while VYM returned +26.12%. Year to date, STXD is up 11.15% versus a gain of 15.80% for VYM.

Over three years, STXD compounded at +15.86% per year against +18.25% for VYM. Across the full 4-year window we track, STXD has the edge at +15.12% annualized vs +7.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 10.9% for STXD. 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 -14.9% for STXD 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

STXD 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, STXD currently yields 1.21% against 2.86% for VYM.