DVOL vs VYM
First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DVOL or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 30.1%.
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 | DVOL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $72M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.78% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 102 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +1.06% | +10.24%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.58% | +14.89%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.21% | +18.00%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.55% | +11.42%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.3% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,101 | $17,172Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 30.1% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 5, 2018 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 7, 2018 to Sep 25, 2026 (8 years).
DVOL 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 8 years both funds cover.
DVOL vs VYM Performance
First Trust Dorsey Wright Momentum & Low Volatility ETF (DVOL) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DVOL returned +2.58% while VYM returned +14.89%. Year to date, DVOL is up 1.06% versus a gain of 10.24% for VYM.
Over three years, DVOL compounded at +13.21% per year against +18.00% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +5.55% and +11.42% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.76% annualized vs +8.07%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DVOL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 15.6% 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 -38.3% for DVOL 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DVOL charges 0.60% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $4 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DVOL currently yields 0.78% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
41.0% of DVOL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.8% of VYM's money is in holdings DVOL also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
20 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in DVOL and 557 in VYM, against full books of 102 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 508 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for DVOL (87.3% of the fund), and 29 for DVOL that do not appear in VYM (56.0%).
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 DVOL | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 2.63% | 1.80% | 0.83% |
| BKBank Of New York Mellon Corp | 3.45% | 0.44% | 3.01% |
| PGRProgressive Corporation | 2.71% | 0.50% | 2.21% |
| STTState Street Corp. | 2.90% | 0.20% | 2.70% |
| PFGPrincipalfinancialgroupinc. | 2.93% | 0.10% | 2.83% |
| MSMorgan Stanley | 1.98% | 0.96% | 1.02% |
| DTMDT Midstream Inc | 2.85% | 0.06% | 2.79% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.98% | 1.86% | 0.88% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc/The | 1.58% | 1.13% | 0.45% |
| CFGCitizens Financial Group Inc. | 2.40% | 0.12% | 2.28% |
41.0% of DVOL 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, DVOL or VYM?
DVOL has an expense ratio of 0.60% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DVOL or VYM?
Over the past year DVOL returned +2.58% vs +14.89% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), DVOL annualized +8.07% vs +9.76% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DVOL or VYM?
DVOL has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 15.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: DVOL -38.3% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both DVOL and VYM?
DVOL and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 DVOL and VYM?
41.0% of DVOL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.8% of VYM's is in holdings DVOL also owns. They hold 20 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in DVOL and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, DVOL or VYM?
DVOL yields 0.78% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DVOL?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 30.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.