HDUS vs VYM
Hartford Disciplined US Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, HDUS or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. HDUS led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 35.2%.
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 | HDUS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $115M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.31% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 242 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +14.43% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.57% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.48%Best | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.2% | 11.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.2% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.8 years | $19,541Best | $16,695 |
| Top 10 Weight | 35.2% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Hartford Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 16, 2022 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 17, 2022 to Sep 4, 2026 (3.8 years).
HDUS 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 3.8 years both funds cover.
HDUS vs VYM Performance
Hartford Disciplined US Equity ETF (HDUS) is an ETF from Hartford Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HDUS returned +19.57% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, HDUS is up 14.43% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, HDUS compounded at +20.48% per year against +18.64% for VYM. Across the full 4-year window we track, HDUS has the edge at +19.28% annualized vs +14.44%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HDUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.2% compared with 11.3% 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 -18.2% for HDUS and -14.5% 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HDUS charges 0.19% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $19 vs $4 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HDUS currently yields 1.31% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
40.0% of HDUS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 61.3% of VYM's money is in holdings HDUS also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, HDUS as of Aug 17, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
120 positions in common, counted across the 238 positions we hold weights for in HDUS and 603 in VYM, against full books of 242 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 451 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for HDUS (36.2% of the fund), and 114 for HDUS that do not appear in VYM (59.2%).
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 HDUS | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.37% | 7.29% | 4.92% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.04% | 3.38% | 2.34% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.30% | 2.54% | 1.24% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.21% | 2.36% | 1.15% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.72% | 1.93% | 1.21% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.25% | 2.01% | 1.76% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.36% | 1.85% | 1.49% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.77% | 1.31% | 0.54% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.79% | 1.28% | 0.49% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.70% | 1.32% | 0.62% |
61.3% of VYM is already inside HDUS.
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, HDUS or VYM?
HDUS has an expense ratio of 0.19% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HDUS or VYM?
Over the past year HDUS returned +19.57% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), HDUS annualized +19.28% vs +14.44% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HDUS or VYM?
HDUS has been the more volatile fund at 12.2% annualized versus 11.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: HDUS -18.2% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both HDUS and VYM?
HDUS and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 HDUS and VYM?
61.3% of VYM's money is in holdings HDUS also owns. 61.3% of VYM's is in holdings HDUS also owns. They hold 120 positions in common, counted across the 238 positions we hold weights for in HDUS and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, HDUS or VYM?
HDUS yields 1.31% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than HDUS?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. HDUS led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 35.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.