DIA vs VYM
State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DIA or VYM?
Nearly the same fund. VYM costs less.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DIA led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.3%.
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 | DIA | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.16% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $45.2B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.38% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 31 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +9.29% | +13.75%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.18% | +19.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.59% | +18.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.34% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.8% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.8%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,356 | $17,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 55.3% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 14, 1998 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 9, 2026 (19.8 years).
DIA 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
DIA vs VYM Performance
State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DIA returned +16.18% while VYM returned +19.42%. Year to date, DIA is up 9.29% versus a gain of 13.75% for VYM.
Over three years, DIA compounded at +16.59% per year against +18.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +10.34% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, DIA has the edge at +8.11% annualized vs +6.94%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DIA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 14.5% 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 -53.8% for DIA 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
DIA charges 0.16% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $16 vs $4 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DIA currently yields 1.38% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
62.8% of DIA's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 23.1% of VYM's money is in holdings DIA also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
18 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in DIA and 603 in VYM, against full books of 31 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 30 and 603 positions we hold weights for.
VYM holds 549 positions DIA does not, 74.1% of the fund.
Largest: AVGO 7.29%, XOM 2.36%, ABBV 1.85%, BAC 1.56%, PM 1.17%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DIA | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc/The | 11.43% | 1.15% | 10.28% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 9.26% | 2.01% | 7.25% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 3.93% | 3.38% | 0.55% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group, Inc. | 4.48% | 1.56% | 2.92% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 2.85% | 2.54% | 0.31% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 3.91% | 1.46% | 2.45% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 4.52% | 0.75% | 3.77% |
| TRVThe Travelers Cos, Inc. | 4.23% | 0.29% | 3.94% |
| MCDMcdonald'S Corp | 3.02% | 0.80% | 2.22% |
| IBMInternational Business Machines Corp. | 2.59% | 1.10% | 1.49% |
62.8% of DIA 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DIA or VYM?
DIA has an expense ratio of 0.16% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DIA or VYM?
Over the past year DIA returned +16.18% vs +19.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), DIA annualized +8.11% vs +6.94% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DIA or VYM?
DIA has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: DIA -53.8% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both DIA and VYM?
DIA 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 DIA and VYM?
62.8% of DIA's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 23.1% of VYM's is in holdings DIA also owns. They hold 18 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in DIA and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, DIA or VYM?
DIA yields 1.38% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DIA?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DIA led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.