AOD vs VYM
Abrdn Total Dynamic Dividend Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, AOD or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AOD led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 28.5%.
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 | AOD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.16% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.0B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.73% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 86 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +17.13%Best | +10.96% |
| 1Y Return | +24.70%Best | +15.42% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.31%Best | +17.78% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.97% | +12.05%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.9% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -88.1% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,600 | $17,663Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 28.5% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Aberdeen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2007 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 26, 2007 to Sep 22, 2026 (19.7 years).
AOD 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 19.7 years both funds cover.
AOD vs VYM Performance
Abrdn Total Dynamic Dividend Fund (AOD) is an ETF from Aberdeen and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AOD returned +24.70% while VYM returned +15.42%. Year to date, AOD is up 17.13% versus a gain of 10.96% for VYM.
Over three years, AOD compounded at +24.31% per year against +17.78% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +11.97% and +12.05% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.76% annualized vs -4.06%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AOD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.9% 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 -88.1% for AOD 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
AOD charges 1.16% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $116 vs $4 annually, a gap of $112 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AOD currently yields 11.73% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
40.0% of AOD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 30.5% of VYM's money is in holdings AOD also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
38 positions in common, counted across the 87 positions we hold weights for in AOD and 557 in VYM, against full books of 86 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 490 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for AOD (66.6% of the fund), and 9 for AOD that do not appear in VYM (17.6%).
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 AOD | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.48% | 7.35% | 3.87% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.67% | 3.82% | 2.15% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.30% | 1.86% | 0.56% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.33% | 1.80% | 0.47% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 1.44% | 1.66% | 0.22% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 1.35% | 1.31% | 0.04% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc/The | 1.42% | 1.13% | 0.29% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.98% | 1.38% | 0.40% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 1.12% | 0.70% | 0.42% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 1.34% | 0.35% | 0.99% |
40.0% of AOD 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, AOD or VYM?
AOD has an expense ratio of 1.16% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $112 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AOD or VYM?
Over the past year AOD returned +24.70% vs +15.42% for VYM, so AOD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), AOD annualized -4.06% vs +6.76% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AOD or VYM?
AOD has been the more volatile fund at 21.9% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: AOD -88.1% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both AOD and VYM?
AOD 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 AOD and VYM?
40.0% of AOD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 30.5% of VYM's is in holdings AOD also owns. They hold 38 positions in common, counted across the 87 positions we hold weights for in AOD and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, AOD or VYM?
AOD yields 11.73% while VYM yields 2.22%, so AOD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than AOD?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. AOD led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 28.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.