IGRO vs VYM
iShares International Dividend Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IGRO or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 27.2%.
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 | IGRO | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.3B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.62% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 584 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +10.95% | +14.33%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.44% | +20.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.99% | +18.43%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.72% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7% | 14.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -37.0% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,190 | $17,750Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 27.2% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 17, 2016 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 19, 2016 to Sep 8, 2026 (10.3 years).
IGRO 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 10.3 years both funds cover.
IGRO vs VYM Performance
iShares International Dividend Growth ETF (IGRO) 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 IGRO returned +17.44% while VYM returned +20.01%. Year to date, IGRO is up 10.95% versus a gain of 14.33% for VYM.
Over three years, IGRO compounded at +16.99% per year against +18.43% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.72% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.47% annualized vs +7.96%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IGRO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 14.0% 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 IGRO 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IGRO charges 0.15% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $4 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IGRO currently yields 2.62% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
1.3% of IGRO's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.2% of VYM's money is in holdings IGRO also owns.
IGRO and VYM share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 524 positions we hold weights for in IGRO and 602 in VYM, against full books of 584 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 567 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IGRO (97.0% of the fund), and 5 for IGRO that do not appear in VYM (5.1%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IGRO 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, IGRO or VYM?
IGRO has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IGRO or VYM?
Over the past year IGRO returned +17.44% vs +20.01% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), IGRO annualized +7.96% vs +10.47% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IGRO or VYM?
IGRO has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 14.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: IGRO -37.0% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both IGRO and VYM?
IGRO and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 IGRO and VYM?
1.3% of IGRO's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.2% of VYM's is in holdings IGRO also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 524 positions we hold weights for in IGRO and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, IGRO or VYM?
IGRO yields 2.62% while VYM yields 2.24%, so IGRO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IGRO?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 27.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.