DBAW vs VYM
Xtrackers MSCI All World ex US Hedged Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DBAW or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DBAW led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VYM over 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 | DBAW | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $323M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.73% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 1,782 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +16.71%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +30.02%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.17%Best | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.33%Best | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.1%Best | 13.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -31.4%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,885Best | $17,845 |
| Fund Family | Xtrackers ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 22, 2014 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 27, 2014 to Sep 4, 2026 (12.6 years).
DBAW 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 12.6 years both funds cover.
DBAW vs VYM Performance
Xtrackers MSCI All World ex US Hedged Equity ETF (DBAW) is an ETF from Xtrackers ETFs and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DBAW returned +30.02% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, DBAW is up 16.71% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, DBAW compounded at +21.17% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +12.33% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.71% annualized vs +7.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.5% compared with 12.1% for DBAW. 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 -31.4% for DBAW and -35.7% 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DBAW 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, DBAW currently yields 1.73% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.4% of VYM's money is in holdings DBAW also owns.
Stated as a floor: for DBAW, our book for it covers 94.4% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
7 positions in common, counted across the 1,751 positions we hold weights for in DBAW and 603 in VYM, against full books of 1,782 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DBAW | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAPCredicorp Ltd - Common | 0.07% | 0.11% | 0.04% |
| HALHalliburton Co. | 0.02% | 0.12% | 0.10% |
| SCCOSouthern Copper Corp | 0.04% | 0.07% | 0.03% |
| XPXp Inc. Class A Common Stock | 0.02% | 0.03% | 0.01% |
| TIGO:LUMillicom International Cellular Sa Common Stock | 0.02% | 0.03% | 0.01% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corporationam | 0.02% | 0.03% | 0.01% |
| 196170:KRAlteogen Inc | 0.02% | 0.02% | 0.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DBAW 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, DBAW or VYM?
DBAW 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, DBAW or VYM?
Over the past year DBAW returned +30.02% vs +20.84% for VYM, so DBAW leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), DBAW annualized +7.74% vs +9.71% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DBAW or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.5% annualized versus 12.1% for DBAW. Worst drawdown: DBAW -31.4% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both DBAW and VYM?
DBAW and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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, DBAW or VYM?
DBAW yields 1.73% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DBAW?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DBAW led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VYM over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.