BDVL vs VYM
iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, BDVL or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | BDVL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.8B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.43% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 613 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +7.13% | +9.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.86% | +13.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.30% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.45% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.8%Best | 10.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -7.7% | -6.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 1 years | $10,891 | $11,362Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 12, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 15, 2025 to Sep 24, 2026 (1 years).
BDVL 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 1 years both funds cover.
BDVL vs VYM Performance
iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF (BDVL) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BDVL returned +9.86% while VYM returned +13.77%. Year to date, BDVL is up 7.13% versus a gain of 9.71% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.9% compared with 8.8% for BDVL. 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 -7.7% for BDVL and -6.7% 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BDVL charges 0.40% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $4 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BDVL currently yields 3.43% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 48.4% of VYM's money is in holdings BDVL also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for BDVL, our book for it lists positions totalling 114.7% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
92 positions in common, counted across the 494 positions we hold weights for in BDVL and 557 in VYM, against full books of 613 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BDVL | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.95% | 7.35% | 6.40% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.22% | 3.82% | 3.60% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.60% | 2.51% | 1.91% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.07% | 1.86% | 0.79% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.93% | 1.38% | 0.45% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.42% | 1.80% | 1.38% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.73% | 1.37% | 0.64% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 0.24% | 1.66% | 1.42% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.38% | 1.31% | 0.93% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.17% | 1.52% | 1.35% |
48.4% of VYM is already inside BDVL.
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, BDVL or VYM?
BDVL has an expense ratio of 0.40% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BDVL or VYM?
Over the past year BDVL returned +9.86% vs +13.77% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), BDVL annualized +8.91% vs +13.62% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BDVL or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 10.9% annualized versus 8.8% for BDVL. Worst drawdown: BDVL -7.7% vs VYM -6.7%.
Should I hold both BDVL and VYM?
BDVL and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 BDVL and VYM?
At least 48.4% of VYM's money is in holdings BDVL also owns. Our book for BDVL is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 92 positions in common, counted across the 494 positions we hold weights for in BDVL and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, BDVL or VYM?
BDVL yields 3.43% while VYM yields 2.22%, so BDVL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than BDVL?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.