HYG vs VYM
iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, HYG or VYM?
High Yield Bond against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | HYG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $15.7B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.88% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,332 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +1.40% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.89% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.97% | +18.12%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.42% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.0%Best | 14.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -41.9%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,831 | $17,758Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 4, 2007 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 11, 2007 to Sep 11, 2026 (19.4 years).
HYG 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 19.4 years both funds cover.
HYG vs VYM Performance
iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) 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 HYG returned +2.89% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, HYG is up 1.40% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, HYG compounded at +7.97% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +3.42% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.91% annualized vs +0.11%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 10.0% for HYG. 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 -41.9% for HYG 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HYG charges 0.49% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $4 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HYG currently yields 5.88% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.1% of VYM's money is in holdings HYG also owns.
Stated as a floor: for HYG, our book for it covers 74.1% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
2 positions in common, counted across the 1,011 positions we hold weights for in HYG and 603 in VYM, against full books of 1,332 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in HYG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFSI 4.25 02/15/29 1Pennymac Financial Services Inc | 0.07% | 0.01% | 0.06% |
| MTCHII 5 12/15/27 14Match Group Inc | 0.03% | 0.04% | 0.01% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HYG 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, HYG or VYM?
HYG has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HYG or VYM?
Over the past year HYG returned +2.89% vs +17.57% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), HYG annualized +0.11% vs +6.91% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HYG or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 10.0% for HYG. Worst drawdown: HYG -41.9% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both HYG and VYM?
HYG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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, HYG or VYM?
HYG yields 5.88% while VYM yields 2.22%, so HYG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than HYG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.