DPG vs VYM
Duff & Phelps Utility and Infrastructure Fund Inc vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DPG or VYM?
Each has led over a different period.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DPG led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.6%.
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 | DPG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.26% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $570M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.35% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 56 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +9.44% | +12.29%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.80% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.67%Best | +17.42% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.21% | +12.12%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.0% | 13.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -76.0% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,837 | $17,718Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.6% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 29, 2011 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 27, 2011 to Sep 17, 2026 (15.1 years).
DPG 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 15.1 years both funds cover.
DPG vs VYM Performance
Duff & Phelps Utility and Infrastructure Fund Inc (DPG) 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 DPG returned +15.80% while VYM returned +16.61%. Year to date, DPG is up 9.44% versus a gain of 12.29% for VYM.
Over three years, DPG compounded at +22.67% per year against +17.42% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.21% and +12.12% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.02% annualized vs +0.61%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DPG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.0% compared with 13.1% 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 -76.0% for DPG and -35.7% 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DPG charges 2.26% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $226 vs $4 annually, a gap of $222 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DPG currently yields 5.35% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
58.7% of DPG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.9% of VYM's money is in holdings DPG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 181 days apart, DPG as of Jan 31, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
27 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in DPG and 557 in VYM, against full books of 56 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 501 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for DPG (91.1% of the fund), and 10 for DPG that do not appear in VYM (12.7%).
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 DPG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 4.05% | 0.74% | 3.31% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp | 3.78% | 0.40% | 3.38% |
| XELXcel Energy Inc. | 3.70% | 0.20% | 3.50% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 3.62% | 0.24% | 3.38% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 2.48% | 0.70% | 1.78% |
| ETREntergy Corp. | 2.97% | 0.20% | 2.77% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 2.60% | 0.28% | 2.32% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 2.53% | 0.35% | 2.18% |
| PPLPpl Corp (Utilities) | 2.71% | 0.11% | 2.60% |
| TBBAt&t Inc | 2.05% | 0.64% | 1.41% |
58.7% of DPG 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, DPG or VYM?
DPG has an expense ratio of 2.26% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $222 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DPG or VYM?
Over the past year DPG returned +15.80% vs +16.61% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), DPG annualized +0.61% vs +10.02% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DPG or VYM?
DPG has been the more volatile fund at 20.0% annualized versus 13.1% for VYM. Worst drawdown: DPG -76.0% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both DPG and VYM?
DPG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 DPG and VYM?
58.7% of DPG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.9% of VYM's is in holdings DPG also owns. They hold 27 positions in common, counted across the 53 positions we hold weights for in DPG and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, DPG or VYM?
DPG yields 5.35% while VYM yields 2.22%, so DPG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DPG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DPG led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.