DFNL vs VYM
Davis Select Financial ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DFNL or VYM?
Each has led over a different period.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DFNL led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.1%.
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 | DFNL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.61% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $486M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.29% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 31 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +7.68% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.16% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.97%Best | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.54%Best | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.8% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.5% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,869Best | $17,845 |
| Top 10 Weight | 57.1% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Davis ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 11, 2017 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 12, 2017 to Sep 4, 2026 (9.6 years).
DFNL 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 9.6 years both funds cover.
DFNL vs VYM Performance
Davis Select Financial ETF (DFNL) is an ETF from Davis ETFs and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFNL returned +15.16% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, DFNL is up 7.68% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, DFNL compounded at +24.97% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +13.54% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, DFNL has the edge at +12.36% annualized vs +10.17%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFNL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.8% compared with 14.4% 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 -44.5% for DFNL 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFNL charges 0.61% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $61 vs $4 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFNL currently yields 1.29% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
56.6% of DFNL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.1% of VYM's money is in holdings DFNL also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
14 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in DFNL and 603 in VYM, against full books of 31 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 556 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for DFNL (88.3% of the fund), and 9 for DFNL that do not appear in VYM (27.4%).
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 DFNL | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COFCapital One Financial Corp. | 11.08% | 0.52% | 10.56% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 4.40% | 3.38% | 1.02% |
| USBUS Bancorp | 6.39% | 0.39% | 6.00% |
| FITBFifth Third Bancorp | 6.04% | 0.21% | 5.83% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 4.83% | 1.05% | 3.78% |
| PNCPnc Financial Services Group Inc. | 4.66% | 0.41% | 4.25% |
| CBChubb Ltd. | 4.37% | 0.50% | 3.87% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 2.48% | 1.56% | 0.92% |
| BKBank Of New York Mellon Corp | 2.38% | 0.41% | 1.97% |
| TFCTruist Financial Corp. | 2.31% | 0.26% | 2.05% |
56.6% of DFNL 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, DFNL or VYM?
DFNL has an expense ratio of 0.61% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFNL or VYM?
Over the past year DFNL returned +15.16% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), DFNL annualized +12.36% vs +10.17% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFNL or VYM?
DFNL has been the more volatile fund at 19.8% annualized versus 14.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: DFNL -44.5% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both DFNL and VYM?
DFNL 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 DFNL and VYM?
56.6% of DFNL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.1% of VYM's is in holdings DFNL also owns. They hold 14 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in DFNL and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFNL or VYM?
DFNL yields 1.29% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DFNL?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DFNL led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 57.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.