BGY vs VYM
BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, BGY or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.2%.
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 | BGY | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.99% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $586M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.88% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 127 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +4.62% | +10.24%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.53% | +14.89%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.35% | +18.00%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.74% | +11.42%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.0% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -80.9% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,856 | $17,172Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.2% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 25, 2007 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 25, 2007 to Sep 25, 2026 (19.3 years).
BGY 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 19.3 years both funds cover.
BGY vs VYM Performance
BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BGY returned +10.53% while VYM returned +14.89%. Year to date, BGY is up 4.62% versus a gain of 10.24% for VYM.
Over three years, BGY compounded at +14.35% per year against +18.00% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +6.74% and +11.42% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.49% annualized vs -4.04%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BGY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.0% compared with 14.7% 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 -80.9% for BGY 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BGY charges 0.99% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $99 vs $4 annually, a gap of $95 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BGY currently yields 7.88% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 48 holdings in BGY and 557 in VYM, totalling 98.5% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, BGY as of Mar 31, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 48 positions we hold weights for in BGY and 557 in VYM, against full books of 127 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 528 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for BGY (97.1% of the fund), and 2 for BGY that do not appear in VYM (2.9%).
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 BGY 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, BGY or VYM?
BGY has an expense ratio of 0.99% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $95 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BGY or VYM?
Over the past year BGY returned +10.53% vs +14.89% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), BGY annualized -4.04% vs +6.49% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BGY or VYM?
BGY has been the more volatile fund at 19.0% annualized versus 14.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: BGY -80.9% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both BGY and VYM?
BGY and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BGY or VYM?
BGY yields 7.88% while VYM yields 2.22%, so BGY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than BGY?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.