DIVS vs VYM
Guinness Atkinson Dividend Builder ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DIVS or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.7%.
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 | DIVS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $40M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.58% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 37 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +9.40% | +11.35%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.72% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.41% | +17.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.75% | +12.30%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.9%Best | 13.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.7% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,923 | $17,861Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.7% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | SmartETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 30, 2012 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 29, 2021 to Sep 18, 2026 (5.5 years).
DIVS 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 5.5 years both funds cover.
DIVS vs VYM Performance
Guinness Atkinson Dividend Builder ETF (DIVS) is an ETF from SmartETFs and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DIVS returned +10.72% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, DIVS is up 9.40% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, DIVS compounded at +13.41% per year against +17.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +9.75% and +12.30% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +11.63% annualized vs +10.27%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.3% compared with 12.9% for DIVS. 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 -20.7% for DIVS and -15.8% 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DIVS charges 0.45% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $4 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DIVS currently yields 2.58% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
48.7% of DIVS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 21.5% of VYM's money is in holdings DIVS also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
17 positions in common, counted across the 35 positions we hold weights for in DIVS and 557 in VYM, against full books of 37 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 511 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for DIVS (75.6% of the fund), and 3 for DIVS that do not appear in VYM (9.4%).
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 DIVS | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.11% | 7.35% | 4.24% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 3.78% | 1.86% | 1.92% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 3.10% | 2.51% | 0.59% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 3.26% | 1.80% | 1.46% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 3.14% | 1.38% | 1.76% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 3.32% | 1.02% | 2.30% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 2.44% | 1.37% | 1.07% |
| PAYXPaychex, Inc. | 3.60% | 0.15% | 3.45% |
| ETNEaton Corp Plc | 2.98% | 0.65% | 2.33% |
| BLKBlackrock Inc | 2.71% | 0.68% | 2.03% |
48.7% of DIVS 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, DIVS or VYM?
DIVS has an expense ratio of 0.45% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $41 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DIVS or VYM?
Over the past year DIVS returned +10.72% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), DIVS annualized +10.27% vs +11.63% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DIVS or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.3% annualized versus 12.9% for DIVS. Worst drawdown: DIVS -20.7% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both DIVS and VYM?
DIVS and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 DIVS and VYM?
48.7% of DIVS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 21.5% of VYM's is in holdings DIVS also owns. They hold 17 positions in common, counted across the 35 positions we hold weights for in DIVS and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, DIVS or VYM?
DIVS yields 2.58% while VYM yields 2.22%, so DIVS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DIVS?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.