DFII vs VYM
FT Vest Bitcoin Strategy & Target Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DFII or VYM?
Option Writing 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 | DFII | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $20M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 21.96% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 8 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -7.45% | +11.47%Best |
| 1Y Return | -25.85% | +15.94%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.03% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.35% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 38.8% | 9.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -51.0% | -7.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $9,957 | $13,336Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 2, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 3, 2025 to Sep 21, 2026 (1.5 years).
DFII 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
DFII vs VYM Performance
FT Vest Bitcoin Strategy & Target Income ETF (DFII) 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 DFII returned -25.85% while VYM returned +15.94%. Year to date, DFII is down 7.45% versus a gain of 11.47% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFII has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 38.8% compared with 9.2% 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 -51.0% for DFII and -7.5% 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 -0.05. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFII charges 0.85% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $4 annually, a gap of $81 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFII currently yields 21.96% against 2.22% for VYM.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFII 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, DFII or VYM?
DFII has an expense ratio of 0.85% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $81 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFII or VYM?
Over the past year DFII returned -25.85% vs +15.94% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), DFII annualized -0.29% vs +21.16% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFII or VYM?
DFII has been the more volatile fund at 38.8% annualized versus 9.2% for VYM. Worst drawdown: DFII -51.0% vs VYM -7.5%.
Should I hold both DFII and VYM?
DFII and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of -0.05, 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, DFII or VYM?
DFII yields 21.96% while VYM yields 2.22%, so DFII currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DFII?
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.