DSI vs VYM
iShares ESG MSCI KLD 400 ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DSI or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DSI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.6%.
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 | DSI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $5.4B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.84% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 407 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +13.32% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.57%Best | +17.57% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.82%Best | +18.12% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.22%Best | +12.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.8% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -55.1%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,797Best | $17,758 |
| Top 10 Weight | 44.6% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 14, 2006 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 17, 2006 to Sep 11, 2026 (19.8 years).
DSI 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.
DSI vs VYM Performance
iShares ESG MSCI KLD 400 ETF (DSI) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DSI returned +18.57% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, DSI is up 13.32% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, DSI compounded at +20.82% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +12.22% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, DSI has the edge at +9.58% annualized vs +6.94%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DSI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% 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 -55.1% for DSI 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DSI charges 0.25% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $4 annually, a gap of $21 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DSI currently yields 0.84% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
31.8% of DSI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 45.8% of VYM's money is in holdings DSI also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
187 positions in common, counted across the 402 positions we hold weights for in DSI and 603 in VYM, against full books of 407 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 382 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for DSI (51.8% of the fund), and 190 for DSI that do not appear in VYM (67.2%).
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 DSI | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.34% | 1.93% | 0.59% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 1.13% | 2.01% | 0.88% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.22% | 1.85% | 0.63% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 0.98% | 1.46% | 0.48% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 0.95% | 1.42% | 0.47% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.94% | 1.31% | 0.37% |
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 0.89% | 1.32% | 0.43% |
| TXNTexas Instruments, Inc | 0.71% | 1.13% | 0.42% |
| ORCLOracle Corp. | 0.70% | 1.04% | 0.34% |
| IBMInternational Business Machines Corp. | 0.62% | 1.10% | 0.48% |
45.8% of VYM is already inside DSI.
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, DSI or VYM?
DSI has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $21 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DSI or VYM?
Over the past year DSI returned +18.57% vs +17.57% for VYM, so DSI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), DSI annualized +9.58% vs +6.94% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DSI or VYM?
DSI has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: DSI -55.1% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both DSI and VYM?
DSI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, 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 DSI and VYM?
45.8% of VYM's money is in holdings DSI also owns. 45.8% of VYM's is in holdings DSI also owns. They hold 187 positions in common, counted across the 402 positions we hold weights for in DSI and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, DSI or VYM?
DSI yields 0.84% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DSI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DSI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.