IWF vs VYM
iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares
Last updated: 2026-04-02
iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF) is an exchange-traded fund issued by iShares that provides exposure to large-cap U.S. growth stocks with above-average earnings potential. It charges a moderate expense ratio of 0.18%. The fund offers a modest dividend yield of 0.39%. Launched in 2000, the fund has a 26-year track record.
Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares (VYM) is an exchange-traded fund issued by Vanguard that provides exposure to U.S. dividend-paying stocks selected for yield or dividend growth. It charges a very low expense ratio of 0.04%. The fund offers a moderate dividend yield of 2.37%. Launched in 2006, the fund has a 20-year track record.
Quick Verdict
VYM is significantly cheaper at 0.04% vs 0.18% expense ratio, saving you approximately $277 per $10,000 invested over 10 years. IWF has edged ahead over the past year (18.2% vs 15.0%). Income investors may prefer VYM for its higher yield (2.4% vs 0.4%).
Key Metrics
Performance Chart
Indexed to 100 at start (5-year comparison)
Performance Comparison
Fee Impact Over Time
Estimated fee cost difference assuming 8% annual returns
Risk Metrics
Based on 5 years of daily returns
Dividend Comparison
Top Holdings
1 of top 9 holdings overlap (11% overlap in top holdings)
IWF Top Holdings
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| NVIDIA CorporationNVDA | 12.82% |
| Apple Inc.AAPL | 11.79% |
| Microsoft CorporationMSFT | 8.78% |
| Broadcom Inc.AVGO | 4.81% |
| Amazon.com, Inc.AMZN | 4.61% |
| Tesla, Inc.TSLA | 3.57% |
| Meta Platforms, Inc.META | 3.28% |
| Alphabet Inc.GOOG | 2.83% |
| Eli Lilly and CompanyLLY | 2.62% |
VYM Top Holdings
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| Broadcom Inc.AVGO | 6.48% |
| JPMorgan Chase & Co.JPM | 3.36% |
| Exxon Mobil CorporationXOM | 2.83% |
| Johnson & JohnsonJNJ | 2.63% |
| Walmart Inc.WMT | 2.44% |
| AbbVie Inc.ABBV | 1.81% |
| The Procter & Gamble CompanyPG | 1.72% |
| The Home Depot, Inc.HD | 1.66% |
| Chevron CorporationCVX | 1.54% |
| Caterpillar Inc.CAT | 1.51% |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose VYM if...
you want the lowest fees and plan to buy and hold long-term. Over decades, the expense ratio difference compounds significantly.
Choose IWF if...
recent performance momentum matters to your strategy. Note that past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Choose VYM if...
you prioritize dividend income and want higher regular distributions from your portfolio.