DDIV vs VYM
First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Dividend ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DDIV or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DDIV led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.5%.
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 | DDIV | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $75M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.53% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 102 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +5.62% | +9.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.68% | +13.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.77%Best | +17.30% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.71% | +11.45%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.1% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -47.5% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,894 | $17,195Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 39.5% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 10, 2014 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 5, 2018 to Sep 24, 2026 (8.1 years).
DDIV 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 8.1 years both funds cover.
DDIV vs VYM Performance
First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Dividend ETF (DDIV) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DDIV returned +12.68% while VYM returned +13.77%. Year to date, DDIV is up 5.62% versus a gain of 9.71% for VYM.
Over three years, DDIV compounded at +18.77% per year against +17.30% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +9.71% and +11.45% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.64% annualized vs +8.94%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DDIV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% compared with 15.6% 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 -47.5% for DDIV 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DDIV charges 0.60% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $4 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DDIV currently yields 1.53% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
74.7% of DDIV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 14.2% of VYM's money is in holdings DDIV also owns.
Most of DDIV is already inside VYM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
36 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in DDIV and 557 in VYM, against full books of 102 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 492 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for DDIV (82.8% of the fund), and 13 for DDIV that do not appear in VYM (23.1%).
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 DDIV | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 3.14% | 1.80% | 1.34% |
| DINOHF Sinclair Corp | 4.44% | 0.06% | 4.38% |
| IVZInvesco PLC | 4.42% | 0.04% | 4.38% |
| BENFranklin Resources Inc. | 4.41% | 0.04% | 4.37% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 2.37% | 1.52% | 0.85% |
| EIXEdison Intl | 3.76% | 0.11% | 3.65% |
| PFGPrincipalfinancialgroupinc. | 3.37% | 0.10% | 3.27% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.51% | 1.86% | 0.35% |
| CVSCvs Corp | 2.70% | 0.54% | 2.16% |
| CFGCitizens Financial Group Inc. | 2.93% | 0.12% | 2.81% |
74.7% of DDIV 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, DDIV or VYM?
DDIV has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DDIV or VYM?
Over the past year DDIV returned +12.68% vs +13.77% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), DDIV annualized +8.94% vs +9.64% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DDIV or VYM?
DDIV has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 15.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: DDIV -47.5% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both DDIV and VYM?
DDIV and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between DDIV and VYM?
74.7% of DDIV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 14.2% of VYM's is in holdings DDIV also owns. They hold 36 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in DDIV and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, DDIV or VYM?
DDIV yields 1.53% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DDIV?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DDIV led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.