MAX vs. VYM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

MAX (MediaAlpha, Inc.) is a stock, while VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) is Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Over the past 5 years, MAX returned -26.29%/yr vs 11.67%/yr for VYM. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

MAX vs. VYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MAX achieves a -31.43% return, which is significantly lower than VYM's 12.96% return.

MAX

• 1D: -5.03%
• 1M: -2.42%
• YTD: -31.43%
• 6M: -30.19%
• 1Y: -14.20%
• 3Y*: -1.35%
• 5Y*: -26.29%
• 10Y*: —

VYM

• 1D: 1.24%
• 1M: 2.98%
• YTD: 12.96%
• 6M: 13.69%
• 1Y: 27.70%
• 3Y*: 19.05%
• 5Y*: 11.67%
• 10Y*: 11.94%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

MAX vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
MAX MediaAlpha, Inc.	-31.43%	14.70%	1.26%	12.06%	-35.56%	-60.48%	22.63%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	12.96%	15.42%	17.60%	6.57%	-0.43%	26.20%	17.05%

Correlation

The correlation between MAX and VYM is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 29, 2020	0.28

The correlation between MAX and VYM shifts across timeframes, from 0.15 (1 year) to 0.31 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

MAX vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

MAX

MAX Risk / Return Rank: 29
MAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
MAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
MAX Omega Ratio Rank: 29
MAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
MAX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

VYM

VYM Risk / Return Rank: 82
VYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
VYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
VYM Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VYM Martin Ratio Rank: 79

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

MAX vs. VYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	MAX	VYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.27	2.71	-2.98
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.05	3.84	-3.89
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	1.49	-0.50
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.27	4.20	-4.47
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.61	15.80	-16.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MAX vs. VYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MAX Sharpe Ratio is -0.27, which is lower than the VYM Sharpe Ratio of 2.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MAX and VYM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MAX	VYM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.27	2.71	-2.98
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.41	0.84	-1.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.31	0.51	-0.82

Drawdowns

MAX vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MAX drawdown since its inception was -91.64%, which is greater than VYM's maximum drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MAX and VYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	MAX	VYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-91.64%	-56.98%	-34.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-47.70%	-6.69%	-41.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-67.70%	-14.46%	-53.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-88.43%	-15.84%	-72.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.21%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-86.15%	0.00%	-86.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-72.92%	-7.20%	-65.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	21.32%	1.78%	+19.54%

Volatility

MAX vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison

MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX) has a higher volatility of 14.82% compared to Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) at 2.88%. This indicates that MAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MAX	VYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.82%	2.88%	+11.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	38.92%	7.73%	+31.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	52.12%	10.27%	+41.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	64.45%	13.96%	+50.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	66.69%	16.34%	+50.35%

Dividends

MAX vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison

MAX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VYM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.18%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MAX MediaAlpha, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	2.18%	2.44%	2.74%	3.12%	3.01%	2.76%	3.18%	3.03%	3.40%	2.80%	2.91%	3.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MAX and VYM in my portfolio?

MAX and VYM have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MAX or VYM?

MAX has higher volatility (14.82%) compared to VYM (2.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MAX dropped -91.64% vs VYM's -56.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.71 vs -0.27), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.