DGT vs VYM
State Street SPDR Global Dow ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DGT or VYM?
Each has led over a different period.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DGT led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VYM over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. DGT is less concentrated, with 12.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | DGT | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $639M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.43% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 177 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +13.39%Best | +10.23% |
| 1Y Return | +19.69%Best | +14.28% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.01%Best | +17.50% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.02%Best | +11.60% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.9% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -57.0%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,271Best | $17,311 |
| Top 10 Weight | 12.0%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 25, 2000 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 23, 2026 (19.9 years).
DGT 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 19.9 years both funds cover.
DGT vs VYM Performance
State Street SPDR Global Dow ETF (DGT) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DGT returned +19.69% while VYM returned +14.28%. Year to date, DGT is up 13.39% versus a gain of 10.23% for VYM.
Over three years, DGT compounded at +22.01% per year against +17.50% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +14.02% and +11.60% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.76% annualized vs +5.51%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DGT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 14.6% 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 -57.0% for DGT 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DGT charges 0.50% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $4 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DGT currently yields 2.43% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
33.6% of DGT's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 51.3% of VYM's money is in holdings DGT also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
54 positions in common, counted across the 158 positions we hold weights for in DGT and 557 in VYM, against full books of 177 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 475 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for DGT (46.1% of the fund), and 36 for DGT that do not appear in VYM (23.5%).
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 DGT | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.54% | 7.35% | 6.81% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.66% | 3.82% | 3.16% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.78% | 2.63% | 1.85% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.82% | 2.51% | 1.69% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.88% | 1.86% | 0.98% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 1.03% | 1.50% | 0.47% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.66% | 1.80% | 1.14% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.96% | 1.31% | 0.35% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.71% | 1.48% | 0.77% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group, Inc. | 0.61% | 1.52% | 0.91% |
51.3% of VYM is already inside DGT.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DGT or VYM?
DGT has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DGT or VYM?
Over the past year DGT returned +19.69% vs +14.28% for VYM, so DGT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), DGT annualized +5.51% vs +6.76% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DGT or VYM?
DGT has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: DGT -57.0% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both DGT and VYM?
DGT and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, 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 DGT and VYM?
51.3% of VYM's money is in holdings DGT also owns. 51.3% of VYM's is in holdings DGT also owns. They hold 54 positions in common, counted across the 158 positions we hold weights for in DGT and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, DGT or VYM?
DGT yields 2.43% while VYM yields 2.22%, so DGT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DGT?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DGT led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VYM over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. DGT is less concentrated, with 12.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.