DSL vs VYM
DoubleLine Income Solutions Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DSL or VYM?
High Yield Bond against Large Cap Value.
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 | DSL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.20% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.3B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.56% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 491 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -1.08% | +12.29%Best |
| 1Y Return | -7.88% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.54% | +17.42%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.13% | +12.12%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7% | 13.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -58.7% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,065 | $17,718Best |
| Fund Family | DoubleLine Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 26, 2013 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 26, 2013 to Sep 17, 2026 (13.4 years).
DSL 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 13.4 years both funds cover.
DSL vs VYM Performance
DoubleLine Income Solutions Fund (DSL) is an ETF from DoubleLine Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DSL returned -7.88% while VYM returned +16.61%. Year to date, DSL is down 1.08% versus a gain of 12.29% for VYM.
Over three years, DSL compounded at +5.54% per year against +17.42% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +0.13% and +12.12% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.47% annualized vs -2.10%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DSL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 13.3% 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 -58.7% for DSL 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 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DSL charges 3.20% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $320 vs $4 annually, a gap of $316 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DSL currently yields 11.56% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 5 holdings in DSL and 557 in VYM, totalling 1.2% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 304 days apart, DSL as of Sep 30, 2025 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 5 positions we hold weights for in DSL and 557 in VYM, against full books of 491 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DSL 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, DSL or VYM?
DSL has an expense ratio of 3.20% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $316 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DSL or VYM?
Over the past year DSL returned -7.88% vs +16.61% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), DSL annualized -2.10% vs +9.47% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DSL or VYM?
DSL has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 13.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: DSL -58.7% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both DSL and VYM?
DSL and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, DSL or VYM?
DSL yields 11.56% while VYM yields 2.22%, so DSL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DSL?
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.