DLN vs VYM
WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DLN or VYM?
Nearly the same fund. VYM costs less.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DLN led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. DLN is less concentrated, with 25.3% 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 | DLN | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.28% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $6.3B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.74% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 312 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +12.28%Best | +11.71% |
| 1Y Return | +16.61%Best | +16.24% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.88%Best | +17.24% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.19%Best | +11.86% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.3%Best | 14.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -57.8%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,773Best | $17,514 |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.3%Best | 26.1% |
| 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 Sep 16, 2026 (19.8 years).
DLN 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.
DLN vs VYM Performance
WisdomTree US LargeCap Dividend Fund (DLN) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DLN returned +16.61% while VYM returned +16.24%. Year to date, DLN is up 12.28% versus a gain of 11.71% for VYM.
Over three years, DLN compounded at +17.88% per year against +17.24% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +12.19% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, DLN has the edge at +9.30% annualized vs +6.84%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 14.3% for DLN. 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 -57.8% for DLN 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 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DLN charges 0.28% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $28 vs $4 annually, a gap of $24 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DLN currently yields 1.74% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
66.5% of DLN's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 79.9% of VYM's money is in holdings DLN also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside DLN. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
182 positions in common, counted across the 308 positions we hold weights for in DLN and 557 in VYM, against full books of 312 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 346 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for DLN (17.1% of the fund), and 123 for DLN that do not appear in VYM (33.2%).
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 DLN | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.33% | 7.35% | 5.02% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 3.03% | 3.82% | 0.79% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 2.06% | 2.63% | 0.57% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 2.00% | 2.51% | 0.51% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.65% | 1.80% | 0.15% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.28% | 1.86% | 0.58% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 1.65% | 1.48% | 0.17% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 1.22% | 1.66% | 0.44% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 1.36% | 1.38% | 0.02% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 1.20% | 1.52% | 0.32% |
79.9% of VYM is already inside DLN.
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, DLN or VYM?
DLN has an expense ratio of 0.28% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $24 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DLN or VYM?
Over the past year DLN returned +16.61% vs +16.24% for VYM, so DLN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), DLN annualized +9.30% vs +6.84% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DLN or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 14.3% for DLN. Worst drawdown: DLN -57.8% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both DLN and VYM?
DLN and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, 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 DLN and VYM?
79.9% of VYM's money is in holdings DLN also owns. 79.9% of VYM's is in holdings DLN also owns. They hold 182 positions in common, counted across the 308 positions we hold weights for in DLN and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, DLN or VYM?
DLN yields 1.74% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DLN?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DLN led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. DLN is less concentrated, with 25.3% 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.