HDV vs VYM
iShares Core High Dividend ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, HDV or VYM?
Each has led over a different period.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. HDV led over 1Y and 5Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.1%.
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 | HDV | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.08% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $15.6B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.07% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 81 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +21.43%Best | +13.91% |
| 1Y Return | +22.48%Best | +17.57% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.26% | +18.12%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.61%Best | +12.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.1% | 13.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -37.0% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,109Best | $17,758 |
| Top 10 Weight | 52.1% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 29, 2011 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 31, 2011 to Sep 11, 2026 (15.4 years).
HDV 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 15.4 years both funds cover.
HDV vs VYM Performance
iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HDV returned +22.48% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, HDV is up 21.43% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, HDV compounded at +16.26% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +12.61% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.92% annualized vs +8.46%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HDV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.1% compared with 13.0% 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 -37.0% for HDV 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HDV charges 0.08% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $8 vs $4 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HDV currently yields 3.07% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
99.6% of HDV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 26.2% of VYM's money is in holdings HDV also owns.
Most of HDV is already inside VYM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, HDV as of Aug 31, 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.
74 positions in common, counted across the 76 positions we hold weights for in HDV and 603 in VYM, against full books of 81 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 494 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for HDV (71.3% of the fund), and 2 for HDV that do not appear in VYM (0.2%).
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 HDV | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 7.94% | 2.36% | 5.58% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 6.13% | 1.85% | 4.28% |
| CVXChevron Corp. | 6.25% | 1.28% | 4.97% |
| VZVerizon Communications, Inc. | 5.73% | 0.74% | 4.99% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 4.42% | 1.42% | 3.00% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 4.28% | 1.46% | 2.82% |
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 4.40% | 1.32% | 3.08% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 4.24% | 1.17% | 3.07% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 4.03% | 1.31% | 2.72% |
| PFEPfizer, Inc. | 4.72% | 0.57% | 4.15% |
99.6% of HDV 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, HDV or VYM?
HDV has an expense ratio of 0.08% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HDV or VYM?
Over the past year HDV returned +22.48% vs +17.57% for VYM, so HDV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), HDV annualized +8.46% vs +9.92% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HDV or VYM?
HDV has been the more volatile fund at 13.1% annualized versus 13.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: HDV -37.0% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both HDV and VYM?
HDV and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, 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 HDV and VYM?
99.6% of HDV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 26.2% of VYM's is in holdings HDV also owns. They hold 74 positions in common, counted across the 76 positions we hold weights for in HDV and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, HDV or VYM?
HDV yields 3.07% while VYM yields 2.22%, so HDV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than HDV?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. HDV led over 1Y and 5Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.