DWX vs VYM
State Street SPDR S&P International Dividend ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DWX or VYM?
VYM has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DWX is less concentrated, with 21.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | DWX | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $530M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.10% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 122 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +10.30% | +13.75%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.03% | +19.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.07% | +18.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.98% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.9% | 14.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -69.3% | -53.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,680 | $17,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 21.1%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 12, 2008 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 19, 2008 to Sep 9, 2026 (18.6 years).
DWX 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 18.6 years both funds cover.
DWX vs VYM Performance
State Street SPDR S&P International Dividend ETF (DWX) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DWX returned +15.03% while VYM returned +19.42%. Year to date, DWX is up 10.30% versus a gain of 13.75% for VYM.
Over three years, DWX compounded at +16.07% per year against +18.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +7.98% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +7.71% annualized vs -1.08%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DWX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.9% compared with 14.8% 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 -69.3% for DWX and -53.6% 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
DWX charges 0.45% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $4 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DWX currently yields 4.10% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 100 holdings in DWX and 603 in VYM, totalling 99.4% and 99.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in DWX and 603 in VYM, against full books of 122 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 567 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for DWX (97.3% of the fund), and 2 for DWX that do not appear in VYM (3.1%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DWX 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, DWX or VYM?
DWX has an expense ratio of 0.45% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $41 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DWX or VYM?
Over the past year DWX returned +15.03% vs +19.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), DWX annualized -1.08% vs +7.71% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DWX or VYM?
DWX has been the more volatile fund at 19.9% annualized versus 14.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: DWX -69.3% vs VYM -53.6%.
Should I hold both DWX and VYM?
DWX 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, DWX or VYM?
DWX yields 4.10% while VYM yields 2.22%, so DWX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DWX?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DWX is less concentrated, with 21.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.