IHY vs VYM
VanEck International High Yield Bond vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, IHY 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 | IHY | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $43M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.78% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 524 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +1.34% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.72% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.30% | +17.99%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.82% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.7%Best | 13.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -32.1%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,944 | $17,750Best |
| Fund Family | VanEck | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 2, 2012 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 3, 2012 to Sep 10, 2026 (14.4 years).
IHY 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 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.
IHY vs VYM Performance
VanEck International High Yield Bond (IHY) is an ETF from VanEck and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IHY returned +2.72% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, IHY is up 1.34% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, IHY compounded at +8.30% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +1.82% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.91% annualized vs +0.76%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.1% compared with 8.7% for IHY. 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 -32.1% for IHY 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IHY charges 0.40% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $4 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IHY currently yields 5.78% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 299 holdings in IHY and 603 in VYM, totalling 44.7% and 99.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 299 positions we hold weights for in IHY and 603 in VYM, against full books of 524 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IHY and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IHY or VYM?
IHY has an expense ratio of 0.40% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IHY or VYM?
Over the past year IHY returned +2.72% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), IHY annualized +0.76% vs +9.91% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IHY or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.1% annualized versus 8.7% for IHY. Worst drawdown: IHY -32.1% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both IHY and VYM?
IHY and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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, IHY or VYM?
IHY yields 5.78% while VYM yields 2.22%, so IHY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than IHY?
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.