HPI vs VYM
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, HPI or VYM?
Preferred Stock against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. HPI is less concentrated, with 21.0% 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 | HPI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.31% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $443M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.87% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 175 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +0.02% | +13.75%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.45% | +19.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.55% | +18.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.13% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.0% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -73.8% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,111 | $17,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 21.0%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | John Hancock Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Preferred Stock | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 27, 2002 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 9, 2026 (19.8 years).
HPI 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
HPI vs VYM Performance
John Hancock Preferred Income Fund (HPI) is an ETF from John Hancock Investment Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HPI returned +1.45% while VYM returned +19.42%. Year to date, HPI is up 0.02% versus a gain of 13.75% for VYM.
Over three years, HPI compounded at +10.55% per year against +18.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +2.13% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.94% annualized vs +0.04%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HPI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.0% compared with 14.5% 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 -73.8% for HPI 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 0.47. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HPI charges 2.31% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $231 vs $4 annually, a gap of $227 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HPI currently yields 9.87% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
37.6% of HPI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.9% of VYM's money is in holdings HPI also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 123 days apart, HPI as of Feb 27, 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.
37 positions in common, counted across the 94 positions we hold weights for in HPI and 603 in VYM, against full books of 175 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 532 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for HPI (87.3% of the fund), and 27 for HPI that do not appear in VYM (26.8%).
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 HPI | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.13% | 3.38% | 2.25% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 2.72% | 1.05% | 1.67% |
| MSMorgan Stanley | 1.51% | 0.97% | 0.54% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp | 1.65% | 0.41% | 1.24% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc - Common | 1.10% | 0.76% | 0.34% |
| NRGNrg Energy | 1.73% | 0.12% | 1.61% |
| RGAReinsurance Group Of America Inc | 1.48% | 0.06% | 1.42% |
| LNCLincoln National Corp. | 1.36% | 0.03% | 1.33% |
| MTBM&T Bank Corp | 1.20% | 0.15% | 1.05% |
| FITBFifth Third Bancorp | 1.12% | 0.21% | 0.91% |
37.6% of HPI 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, HPI or VYM?
HPI has an expense ratio of 2.31% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $227 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HPI or VYM?
Over the past year HPI returned +1.45% vs +19.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), HPI annualized +0.04% vs +6.94% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HPI or VYM?
HPI has been the more volatile fund at 21.0% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: HPI -73.8% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both HPI and VYM?
HPI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.47, 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 HPI and VYM?
37.6% of HPI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.9% of VYM's is in holdings HPI also owns. They hold 37 positions in common, counted across the 94 positions we hold weights for in HPI and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, HPI or VYM?
HPI yields 9.87% while VYM yields 2.22%, so HPI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than HPI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. HPI is less concentrated, with 21.0% 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.