VTSAX vs YMAG: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 7, 2026, YMAG yields more: 48.17% (dividend yield) against 0.82% for VTSAX. VTSAX is cheaper to own at 0.04% a year vs 1.34%. Over the same 2 years (Jan 2024 to Oct 2026), YMAG returned 21.0% a year with distributions reinvested, and VTSAX 18.6%.
| Compared | VTSAX | YMAG |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 0.82% | 48.17% |
| Expense ratio | 0.04% | 1.34% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +11.8% | +1.9% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +23.0% | — |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +10.9% | — |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +14.8% | — |
| Worst drop since Jan 2024 | -8.3% | -14.6% |
| Share price since Jan 2024 | +55% | −46% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Weekly |
| Issuer | Vanguard | YieldMax |
| Assets | $2.3T | $271.2M |
| Started | 2001 | 2024 |
| Type | Large Blend | Large Blend |
Higher yield
YMAG
48.17%
Lower cost
VTSAX
0.04%
Better total return
YMAG
21.0%/yr
Smaller worst drop
VTSAX
-8.3%
Key facts: VTSAX vs YMAG
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 7, 2026, VTSAX yields 0.82% (dividend yield) and YMAG yields 48.17% (dividend yield).
- VTSAX's expense ratio is 0.04% and YMAG's is 1.34%: $4 vs $134 a year on $10,000.
- From Jan 2024 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in VTSAX grew to $15,978 (18.6% a year) and $10,000 in YMAG to $16,887 (21.0% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -8.3% for VTSAX and -14.6% for YMAG.
- 0 of VTSAX's top ten holdings are also in YMAG's top ten.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "VTSAX vs YMAG: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 7, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/vtsax-vs-ymag
$10,000 in each, Jan 2024 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
VTSAX became
$15,978
18.6% a year
YMAG became
$16,887
21.0% a year
Top holdings
No overlap in the top ten.
VTSAX
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp7.1%
- AAPL Apple Inc6.6%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp5.2%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc3.3%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A2.8%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc2.3%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A2.2%
- GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C2.2%
- MU Micron Technology Inc1.6%
- TSLA Tesla Inc1.4%
YMAG
- TSLY YieldMax TSLA Option Income Strategy ETF15.7%
- APLY YieldMax AAPL Option Income Strategy ETF15.0%
- MSFO YieldMax MSFT Option Income Strategy ETF14.6%
- NVDY YieldMax NVDA Option Income Strategy ETF14.2%
- AMZY YieldMax AMZN Option Income Strategy ETF14.0%
- FBY YieldMax META Option Income Strategy ETF13.3%
- GOOY YieldMax GOOGL Option Income Stgy ETF12.3%
- FGXXX First American Government Obligs X1.0%
VTSAX vs YMAG: questions
Is VTSAX or YMAG better?
It depends on the job. YMAG pays more today (48.17% vs 0.82%), VTSAX costs less, and YMAG has the better total return over Jan 2024 to Oct 2026, with VTSAX holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTSAX or YMAG?
YMAG, at 48.17% against 0.82% for VTSAX as of Nov 7, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $4,817 vs $82 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
YMAG. From Jan 2024 to Oct 2026, it returned 21.0% a year with distributions reinvested, against 18.6% for VTSAX. $10,000 became $16,887 vs $15,978.
Which is cheaper, VTSAX or YMAG?
VTSAX, with a 0.04% expense ratio against 1.34%.
Do VTSAX and YMAG hold the same things?
Not at the top: none of their top ten holdings match.
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. VTSAX leads on 4 of 5 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 7, 2026.
