ADIV vs VYM
Guinness Atkinson Asia Pacific Dividend Builder ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, ADIV or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ADIV led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.6%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | ADIV | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.78% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $55M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.84% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 37 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +10.72% | +13.75%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.93% | +19.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.75%Best | +18.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.34% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.5% | 13.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -31.6% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,926 | $17,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.6% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | SmartETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 31, 2006 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 29, 2021 to Sep 9, 2026 (5.4 years).
ADIV vs VYM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 5.4 years both funds cover.
ADIV vs VYM Performance
Guinness Atkinson Asia Pacific Dividend Builder ETF (ADIV) is an ETF from SmartETFs and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year ADIV returned +11.93% while VYM returned +19.42%. Year to date, ADIV is up 10.72% versus a gain of 13.75% for VYM.
Over three years, ADIV compounded at +18.75% per year against +18.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.34% and +12.17% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ADIV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.5% compared with 13.3% for VYM. 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 -31.6% for ADIV and -15.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.58. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ADIV charges 0.78% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $78 vs $4 annually, a gap of $74 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ADIV currently yields 2.84% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
8.0% of ADIV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 8.3% of VYM's money is in holdings ADIV also owns.
VYM and ADIV share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 36 positions we hold weights for in ADIV and 603 in VYM, against full books of 37 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 565 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for ADIV (89.2% of the fund), and 1 for ADIV that do not appear in VYM (3.4%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ADIV and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ADIV or VYM?
ADIV has an expense ratio of 0.78% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $74 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ADIV or VYM?
Over the past year ADIV returned +11.93% vs +19.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ADIV or VYM?
ADIV has been the more volatile fund at 15.5% annualized versus 13.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: ADIV -31.6% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both ADIV and VYM?
ADIV and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.58, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ADIV and VYM?
8.3% of VYM's money is in holdings ADIV also owns. 8.3% of VYM's is in holdings ADIV also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 36 positions we hold weights for in ADIV and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, ADIV or VYM?
ADIV yields 2.84% while VYM yields 2.22%, so ADIV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than ADIV?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. ADIV led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.