DNP vs VYM
DNP Select Income Fund Inc. vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DNP or VYM?
VYM has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | DNP | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.77% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $3.7B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.00% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 131 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +13.47% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.96% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.27% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.99% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -52.7%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,686 | $17,845Best |
| Fund Family | Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 21, 1987 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 4, 2026 (19.8 years).
DNP 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.
DNP vs VYM Performance
DNP Select Income Fund Inc. (DNP) is an ETF from Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DNP returned +17.96% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, DNP is up 13.47% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, DNP compounded at +11.27% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +7.99% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +7.00% annualized vs +2.12%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DNP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% 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 -52.7% for DNP 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 0.43. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DNP charges 1.77% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $177 vs $4 annually, a gap of $173 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DNP currently yields 8.00% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 7.2% of VYM's money is in holdings DNP also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for DNP, our book for it lists positions totalling 127.3% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
VYM and DNP share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 151 days apart, DNP as of Jan 30, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
36 positions in common, counted across the 122 positions we hold weights for in DNP and 602 in VYM, against full books of 131 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DNP | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XELXcel Energy Inc. | 3.72% | 0.21% | 3.51% |
| SRESempra | 3.52% | 0.25% | 3.27% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 2.77% | 0.76% | 2.01% |
| CNPCenterpoint Energy Inc | 3.40% | 0.12% | 3.28% |
| ETREntergy Corp. | 3.18% | 0.22% | 2.96% |
| AEEAmeren Corp. | 3.11% | 0.13% | 2.98% |
| NINisource Inc Preferred Stock Var | 2.98% | 0.09% | 2.89% |
| LNTAlliant Energy Corp. | 2.89% | 0.08% | 2.81% |
| EVRGEvergy Inc. | 2.88% | 0.08% | 2.80% |
| CMSCms Energy Corp. | 2.66% | 0.10% | 2.56% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DNP and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DNP or VYM?
DNP has an expense ratio of 1.77% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $173 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DNP or VYM?
Over the past year DNP returned +17.96% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), DNP annualized +2.12% vs +7.00% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DNP or VYM?
DNP has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: DNP -52.7% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both DNP and VYM?
DNP and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.43, 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 DNP and VYM?
At least 7.2% of VYM's money is in holdings DNP also owns. Our book for DNP is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 36 positions in common, counted across the 122 positions we hold weights for in DNP and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, DNP or VYM?
DNP yields 8.00% while VYM yields 2.24%, so DNP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DNP?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.