HYI vs VTI
Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, HYI or VTI?
High Yield Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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 | HYI | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.96% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $145M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 10.04% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 258 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -2.00% | +12.28%Best |
| 1Y Return | -6.31% | +16.78%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.41% | +20.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.52% | +11.94%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.4%Best | 14.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -48.5% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,263 | $17,576Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 27, 2010 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 27, 2010 to Sep 17, 2026 (15.9 years).
HYI vs VTI 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
HYI vs VTI Performance
Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. (HYI) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HYI returned -6.31% while VTI returned +16.78%. Year to date, HYI is down 2.00% versus a gain of 12.28% for VTI.
Over three years, HYI compounded at +5.41% per year against +20.89% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +0.52% and +11.94% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.70% annualized vs -0.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 12.4% for HYI. 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 -48.5% for HYI and -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HYI charges 0.96% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $96 vs $3 annually, a gap of $93 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HYI currently yields 10.04% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 191 holdings in HYI and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 80.1% and 98.1% of the two funds. That is not enough of HYI to divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 182 days apart, HYI as of Jan 30, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 191 positions we hold weights for in HYI and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 258 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in HYI | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WWWw International Inc | 0.20% | 0.00% | 0.20% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HYI and VTI 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, HYI or VTI?
HYI has an expense ratio of 0.96% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $93 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HYI or VTI?
Over the past year HYI returned -6.31% vs +16.78% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), HYI annualized -0.99% vs +12.70% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HYI or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 12.4% for HYI. Worst drawdown: HYI -48.5% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both HYI and VTI?
HYI and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, 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, HYI or VTI?
HYI yields 10.04% while VTI yields 1.03%, so HYI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than HYI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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.