DTD vs VYM
WisdomTree US Total Dividend Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DTD or VYM?
Nearly the same fund. VYM costs less.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DTD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. DTD is less concentrated, with 22.7% 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 | DTD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.28% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.7B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.81% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 801 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +12.08%Best | +10.23% |
| 1Y Return | +14.99%Best | +14.28% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.28%Best | +17.50% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.94%Best | +11.60% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.8% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.2% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,576Best | $17,311 |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.7%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 23, 2026 (19.9 years).
DTD 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 19.9 years both funds cover.
DTD vs VYM Performance
WisdomTree US Total Dividend Fund (DTD) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DTD returned +14.99% while VYM returned +14.28%. Year to date, DTD is up 12.08% versus a gain of 10.23% for VYM.
Over three years, DTD compounded at +18.28% per year against +17.50% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +11.94% and +11.60% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, DTD has the edge at +6.93% annualized vs +6.76%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DTD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 14.6% 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 -60.2% for DTD 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 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DTD 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, DTD currently yields 1.81% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
65.8% of DTD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 86.5% of VYM's money is in holdings DTD also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside DTD. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
431 positions in common, counted across the 808 positions we hold weights for in DTD and 557 in VYM, against full books of 801 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 106 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for DTD (10.6% of the fund), and 335 for DTD that do not appear in VYM (32.5%).
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 DTD | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.06% | 7.35% | 5.29% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 2.81% | 3.82% | 1.01% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.92% | 2.63% | 0.71% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.78% | 2.51% | 0.73% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.46% | 1.80% | 0.34% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 1.55% | 1.48% | 0.07% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.14% | 1.86% | 0.72% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 1.10% | 1.66% | 0.56% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 1.07% | 1.52% | 0.45% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 1.20% | 1.38% | 0.18% |
86.5% of VYM is already inside DTD.
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, DTD or VYM?
DTD 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, DTD or VYM?
Over the past year DTD returned +14.99% vs +14.28% for VYM, so DTD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), DTD annualized +6.93% vs +6.76% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DTD or VYM?
DTD has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: DTD -60.2% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both DTD and VYM?
DTD and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, 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 DTD and VYM?
86.5% of VYM's money is in holdings DTD also owns. 86.5% of VYM's is in holdings DTD also owns. They hold 431 positions in common, counted across the 808 positions we hold weights for in DTD and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, DTD or VYM?
DTD yields 1.81% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DTD?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DTD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. DTD is less concentrated, with 22.7% 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.