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.
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 | 3.51% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 613 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +9.37% | +15.29%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.41% | +22.23%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.81% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.5%Best | 9.3% |
| 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: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
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 +11.41% while VYM returned +22.23%. Year to date, BDVL is up 9.37% versus a gain of 15.29% 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 9.3% compared with 8.5% for BDVL. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.89. 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 3.51% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 47.6% of VYM's money is in holdings BDVL also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for BDVL, our book for it lists positions totalling 114.5% 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.
90 positions in common, counted across the 487 positions we hold weights for in BDVL and 603 in VYM, against full books of 613 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BDVL | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.77% | 7.29% | 6.52% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.46% | 3.38% | 2.92% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.18% | 2.54% | 1.36% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.10% | 1.93% | 0.83% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.38% | 2.36% | 1.98% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.33% | 2.01% | 1.68% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.19% | 1.85% | 1.66% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.52% | 1.31% | 0.79% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.32% | 1.42% | 1.10% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.15% | 1.56% | 1.41% |
47.6% 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 +11.41% vs +22.23% 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, BDVL or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 9.3% annualized versus 8.5% for BDVL.
Should I hold both BDVL and VYM?
BDVL and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 47.6% 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 90 positions in common, counted across the 487 positions we hold weights for in BDVL and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, BDVL or VYM?
BDVL yields 3.51% while VYM yields 2.24%, so BDVL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than BDVL?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.