IBDT vs VYM
iShares iBonds Dec 2028 Term Corporate ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IBDT or VYM?
VYM has been ahead.
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 | IBDT | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.10% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $4.1B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.51% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 732 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +1.11% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.40% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.65% | +18.12%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.05% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.3%Best | 15.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -17.8%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,536 | $17,758Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 18, 2018 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 20, 2018 to Sep 11, 2026 (8 years).
IBDT 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 8 years both funds cover.
IBDT vs VYM Performance
iShares iBonds Dec 2028 Term Corporate ETF (IBDT) 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 IBDT returned +2.40% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, IBDT is up 1.11% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, IBDT compounded at +5.65% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +1.05% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.03% annualized vs +2.73%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.5% compared with 6.3% for IBDT. 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 -17.8% for IBDT 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 0.51. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IBDT charges 0.10% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $10 vs $4 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IBDT currently yields 4.51% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.1% of VYM's money is in holdings IBDT also owns.
Stated as a floor: for IBDT, our book for it covers 84.6% 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.
The two holdings books were reported 62 days apart, IBDT 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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 604 positions we hold weights for in IBDT and 603 in VYM, against full books of 732 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IBDT | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HUBBHubbell Inc. Class B | 0.09% | 0.11% | 0.02% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IBDT 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, IBDT or VYM?
IBDT has an expense ratio of 0.10% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IBDT or VYM?
Over the past year IBDT returned +2.40% vs +17.57% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), IBDT annualized +2.73% vs +10.03% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IBDT or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 15.5% annualized versus 6.3% for IBDT. Worst drawdown: IBDT -17.8% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both IBDT and VYM?
IBDT and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.51, 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, IBDT or VYM?
IBDT yields 4.51% while VYM yields 2.22%, so IBDT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IBDT?
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.