IHDG vs VYM
WisdomTree International Hedged Quality Dividend Growth Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IHDG or VYM?
Large Cap Growth 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 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 29.6%.
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 | IHDG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.58% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.1B | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.78% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 296 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +6.39% | +9.22%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.78% | +12.81%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.48% | +18.21%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.01% | +11.39%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.6%Best | 13.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -29.2%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,700 | $17,149Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 29.6% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | WisdomTree Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 7, 2014 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 7, 2014 to Oct 1, 2026 (12.4 years).
IHDG 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 12.4 years both funds cover.
IHDG vs VYM Performance
WisdomTree International Hedged Quality Dividend Growth Fund (IHDG) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IHDG returned +12.78% while VYM returned +12.81%. Year to date, IHDG is up 6.39% versus a gain of 9.22% for VYM.
Over three years, IHDG compounded at +12.48% per year against +18.21% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.01% and +11.39% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +8.81% annualized vs +7.98%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.7% compared with 12.6% for IHDG. 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 -29.2% for IHDG 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IHDG charges 0.58% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $58 vs $4 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IHDG currently yields 1.78% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
0.3% of IHDG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.9% of VYM's money is in holdings IHDG also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, IHDG as of Sep 15, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
2 positions in common, counted across the 265 positions we hold weights for in IHDG and 557 in VYM, against full books of 296 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 526 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for IHDG (96.1% of the fund), and 10 for IHDG that do not appear in VYM (7.8%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IHDG 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, IHDG or VYM?
IHDG has an expense ratio of 0.58% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IHDG or VYM?
Over the past year IHDG returned +12.78% vs +12.81% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), IHDG annualized +7.98% vs +8.81% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IHDG or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.7% annualized versus 12.6% for IHDG. Worst drawdown: IHDG -29.2% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both IHDG and VYM?
IHDG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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, IHDG or VYM?
IHDG yields 1.78% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IHDG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 29.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.