AGD vs VYM
Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, AGD or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AGD led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 27.7%.
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 | AGD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.35% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $325M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.73% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 88 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +10.10% | +10.23%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.48% | +14.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.17%Best | +17.50% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.00% | +11.60%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.8% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -88.3% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,105 | $17,311Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 27.7% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Aberdeen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 26, 2006 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 23, 2026 (19.9 years).
AGD 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 19.9 years both funds cover.
AGD vs VYM Performance
Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund (AGD) is an ETF from Aberdeen and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AGD returned +1.48% while VYM returned +14.28%. Year to date, AGD is up 10.10% versus a gain of 10.23% for VYM.
Over three years, AGD compounded at +23.17% per year against +17.50% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +10.00% and +11.60% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.76% annualized vs -3.79%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AGD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.8% compared with 14.6% 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 -88.3% for AGD and -58.8% 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AGD charges 1.35% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $135 vs $4 annually, a gap of $131 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AGD currently yields 11.73% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
39.7% of AGD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 30.7% of VYM's money is in holdings AGD also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
39 positions in common, counted across the 87 positions we hold weights for in AGD and 557 in VYM, against full books of 88 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 489 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for AGD (66.3% of the fund), and 9 for AGD that do not appear in VYM (17.0%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AGD | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.35% | 7.35% | 4.00% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.58% | 3.82% | 2.24% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.28% | 1.86% | 0.58% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.24% | 1.80% | 0.56% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 1.36% | 1.66% | 0.30% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 1.28% | 1.31% | 0.03% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc/The | 1.38% | 1.13% | 0.25% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.99% | 1.38% | 0.39% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 1.08% | 0.70% | 0.38% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 1.29% | 0.35% | 0.94% |
39.7% of AGD is already inside VYM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AGD or VYM?
AGD has an expense ratio of 1.35% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $131 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AGD or VYM?
Over the past year AGD returned +1.48% vs +14.28% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), AGD annualized -3.79% vs +6.76% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AGD or VYM?
AGD has been the more volatile fund at 23.8% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: AGD -88.3% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both AGD and VYM?
AGD and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 AGD and VYM?
39.7% of AGD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 30.7% of VYM's is in holdings AGD also owns. They hold 39 positions in common, counted across the 87 positions we hold weights for in AGD and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, AGD or VYM?
AGD yields 11.73% while VYM yields 2.22%, so AGD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than AGD?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AGD led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 27.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.