DHS vs VYM
WisdomTree US High Dividend Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DHS or VYM?
Nearly the same fund. VYM costs less.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DHS led over 1Y and 5Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 35.4%.
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 | DHS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.31% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 321 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +15.32%Best | +12.47% |
| 1Y Return | +18.72%Best | +16.31% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.18% | +18.81%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.89%Best | +11.50% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -69.7% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,537Best | $17,234 |
| Top 10 Weight | 35.4% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | WisdomTree Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 16, 2006 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Oct 15, 2026 (19.9 years).
DHS 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.
DHS vs VYM Performance
WisdomTree US High Dividend Fund (DHS) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DHS returned +18.72% while VYM returned +16.31%. Year to date, DHS is up 15.32% versus a gain of 12.47% for VYM.
Over three years, DHS compounded at +18.18% per year against +18.81% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +11.89% and +11.50% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.85% annualized vs +4.71%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DHS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% 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 -69.7% for DHS 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 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DHS charges 0.38% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $4 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DHS currently yields 3.31% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
91.3% of DHS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 28.0% of VYM's money is in holdings DHS also owns.
Most of DHS is already inside VYM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
174 positions in common, counted across the 318 positions we hold weights for in DHS and 602 in VYM, against full books of 321 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 406 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for DHS (70.4% of the fund), and 137 for DHS that do not appear in VYM (8.5%).
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 DHS | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 5.24% | 1.83% | 3.41% |
| XOMExxonmobil Corp. | 3.85% | 2.70% | 1.15% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 4.86% | 1.47% | 3.39% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 3.33% | 1.18% | 2.15% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 3.43% | 0.96% | 2.47% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 2.80% | 1.54% | 1.26% |
| MOAltria Group Inc | 3.61% | 0.46% | 3.15% |
| TAT&T Inc. | 3.10% | 0.71% | 2.39% |
| VZVerizon Communic | 2.70% | 0.84% | 1.86% |
| BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 2.50% | 0.55% | 1.95% |
91.3% of DHS 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, DHS or VYM?
DHS has an expense ratio of 0.38% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DHS or VYM?
Over the past year DHS returned +18.72% vs +16.31% for VYM, so DHS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), DHS annualized +4.71% vs +6.85% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DHS or VYM?
DHS has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: DHS -69.7% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both DHS and VYM?
DHS and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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 DHS and VYM?
91.3% of DHS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 28.0% of VYM's is in holdings DHS also owns. They hold 174 positions in common, counted across the 318 positions we hold weights for in DHS and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, DHS or VYM?
DHS yields 3.31% while VYM yields 2.37%, so DHS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DHS?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DHS led over 1Y and 5Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 35.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.