What is the difference between fund size and fund cost?

Fund size, measured in net assets, indicates how much money is currently held by the fund. Fund cost, measured by the expense ratio, indicates how much investors pay annually in fees. A larger fund does not necessarily mean lower fees. For example, one fund may hold more assets but charge a higher annual fee than a smaller fund with a lower expense ratio. Investors should evaluate both metrics to understand the trade-off between scale and cost efficiency.

What does dividend yield tell you about an ETF?

Dividend yield represents the annual income paid by the fund as a percentage of its current price. It is a snapshot based on recent payouts and may change over time. A higher yield does not guarantee higher total returns, as price movement also affects performance. Investors should consider yield alongside expense ratios and holdings. For instance, one fund might offer a higher yield due to its specific portfolio composition, while another focuses on lower costs or different holdings.

How do the expense ratios of IYK and VDC compare?

The expense ratio for IYK is 0.37%, while VDC has a significantly lower expense ratio of 0.09%. This represents a difference of 0.28 percentage points annually. Over time, higher fees reduce the net return an investor receives, assuming all other factors remain equal. The choice between these funds may depend on whether an investor prioritises the lower cost structure of VDC or accepts the higher fee of IYK for its potential specific index exposure or other characteristics outlined in their prospectuses.

How do the dividend yields of these two funds differ?

IYK currently offers a dividend yield of 2.62%, whereas VDC provides a yield of 2.15%. This means IYK pays out a slightly higher percentage of its asset value to shareholders compared to VDC. However, the total return of an ETF includes both dividends and capital appreciation. Investors should note that a higher yield might reflect different portfolio holdings or distribution policies, and it does not automatically imply superior performance. Both funds operate in the consumer staples sector, which traditionally focuses on stable businesses.

Which fund has larger net assets?

VDC manages net assets of $7.8 billion, while IYK has net assets of $1.4 billion. A larger asset base can sometimes indicate greater liquidity or popularity among investors, though it does not inherently predict future performance. The size of the fund affects its ability to track its underlying index and may influence trading spreads. Investors often consider fund size as a factor in stability, but it is one metric among many, including fees and holdings, that should be reviewed when comparing ETFs.

How similar are the top holdings of IYK and VDC?

The two funds share seven common stocks in their top ten holdings: KO, PG, PM, PEP, MO, MDLZ, and CL. This indicates a significant overlap in their core exposures within the consumer staples sector. While the specific weights vary slightly, the presence of these shared companies suggests both funds provide access to major industry players. Investors should look beyond just the names to understand how the concentration in these shared holdings impacts the overall risk and return profile of each fund relative to its peers.

What unique top holdings distinguish VDC from IYK?

VDC includes major retailers such as WMT and COST in its top holdings, which are not found in IYK's top ten. WMT is VDC's largest holding at 13.34%, and COST follows at 11.99%. In contrast, IYK's top holdings are dominated by beverage and tobacco companies like KO and PM. This distinction suggests VDC has a more pronounced exposure to the retail sub-sector, potentially offering a slightly different diversification profile within the broader consumer staples category.

What unique top holdings characterise IYK's portfolio?

IYK's top holdings include healthcare distribution companies such as CVS and MCK, which are absent from VDC's top ten. CVS represents 4.21% and MCK 3.94% of IYK's assets. This indicates that IYK has a broader definition of consumer staples that includes healthcare distribution. Investors seeking exposure to this specific sub-industry alongside traditional staples might find this composition distinctive compared to funds that focus more heavily on retail or food and beverage sectors.

Do these funds track identical indexes?

The provided data indicates that the specific index tracked by IYK is not available, and the precise index methodology for VDC is also not available. Therefore, it cannot be confirmed if they track the same index. While they share the same category of Consumer Defensive, funds can track different indices with varying constituent lists and weighting schemes. Investors should consult the official prospectuses or fund websites to obtain detailed index information to understand exactly how each fund constructs its portfolio.

How do distribution schedules typically work for ETFs?

ETFs generally distribute dividends and interest received from their underlying holdings to shareholders on a scheduled basis, such as quarterly or annually. The frequency is determined by the fund's structure and the payout schedules of its component companies. For these consumer staples funds, distributions are likely to be regular given the nature of the sector, but the specific frequency for IYK and VDC is not provided in the source data. Investors should verify distribution schedules directly from the fund issuer to understand when they can expect to receive cash payments.

IYK vs VDC

Two funds, one decision: we compare cost, performance and what each ETF actually holds in September 2026.

This page compares the iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) and the Consumer Staples Vanguard ETF (VDC). It outlines key differences in expense ratios, net assets, dividend yields, top holdings and category focus. Use it to understand how each fund is structured, where they align and where they differ, based solely on the provided fund data. Educational content, not financial advice.

This page compares the iShares US Consumer Staples ETF (IYK) and the Consumer Staples Vanguard ETF (VDC). It outlines key differences in expense ratios, net assets, dividend yields, top holdings and c...

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

IYK

Metric

VDC

0.37%

Expense Ratio

0.09%

2.62%

Dividend Yield

2.15%

$1.41B

Net Assets

$7.76B

57

Holdings

108

Jun 12, 2000

Inception Date

Jan 26, 2004

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Index Tracked

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Consumer Defensive

Fund Category

Consumer Defensive

VDC costs about $28.00 less per year for every $10,000 invested.

Shared Top Holdings

Holding	IYK	VDC
KOThe Coca-Cola Company	13.44%	9.63%
PGThe Procter & Gamble Company	13.38%	9.43%
PMPhilip Morris International Inc.	11.58%	4.53%
PEPPepsiCo, Inc.	7.10%	4.52%
MOAltria Group, Inc.	4.37%	3.74%
MDLZMondelez International, Inc.	3.24%	2.65%
CLColgate-Palmolive Company	3.02%	2.29%

Discover More Comparisons

IYK vs XLP

Compare IYK and XLP ETFs by fees, holdings and dividends. IYK charges 0.37% while XLP is 0.08%. See differences in tracking and sector composition.

SCHD vs VDC

Compare SCHD vs VDC on fees and holdings. Review SCHD's 3.11% yield against VDC's 2.15% and 0.09% expense ratio. Data on shared KO and PG exposure.

FSTA vs VDC

Compare FSTA and VDC on fees, assets, dividends and holdings. FSTA yields 2.27%, VDC yields 2.15%. Examine expenses and fund history for research.

Investment Analysis

IYK

Pros

IYK offers a dividend yield of 2.62%, slightly higher than some peers.
It has a long operational history with an inception date of Jun 12, 2000.
The fund is managed by iShares, a reputable ETF provider.

Considerations

IYK has a higher expense ratio at 0.37%.
It manages a smaller asset base of $1.4 billion compared to some larger rivals.
The specific index it tracks is not available.

VDC

Pros

VDC has a very low expense ratio of 0.09%.
It benefits from being a large fund with net assets of $7.8 billion.
VDC includes major retailers like WMT and COST in its top holdings, adding diversification.

Considerations

The dividend yield is lower at 2.15%.
It is a newer fund, launched on Jan 26, 2004, compared to some older options.
The precise index methodology for VDC is not available.

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