JHDG vs VYM
John Hancock Hedged Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, JHDG or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.8%.
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 | JHDG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $114M | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.10% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 117 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +10.91%Best | +10.00% |
| 1Y Return | - | +13.75% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.81% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.63% |
| Top 10 Weight | 47.8% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | John Hancock Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 8, 2026 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
JHDG 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.
JHDG vs VYM Performance
John Hancock Hedged Equity ETF (JHDG) is an ETF from John Hancock Investment Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Year to date, JHDG is up 10.91% versus a gain of 10.00% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
JHDG charges 0.49% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $4 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, JHDG currently yields 0.10% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
23.4% of JHDG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 16.1% of VYM's money is in holdings JHDG also owns.
JHDG and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, JHDG 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.
15 positions in common, counted across the 55 positions we hold weights for in JHDG and 557 in VYM, against full books of 117 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 513 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for JHDG (81.0% of the fund), and 29 for JHDG that do not appear in VYM (65.6%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in JHDG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.31% | 7.35% | 3.04% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 4.32% | 3.82% | 0.50% |
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.40% | 0.90% | 0.50% |
| VLOValero Energy | 1.89% | 0.38% | 1.51% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 1.49% | 0.60% | 0.89% |
| EQTEQT Corp. | 1.94% | 0.13% | 1.81% |
| MDTMedtronic Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.54% | 0.44% | 1.10% |
| MSMorgan Stanley | 0.77% | 0.96% | 0.19% |
| TMUST-Mobile Usa Inc Esrw Usd Npv Ref Sm#585558 | 1.04% | 0.34% | 0.70% |
| NEMNewmont Corp Common | 0.97% | 0.41% | 0.56% |
23.4% of JHDG is already inside VYM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, JHDG or VYM?
JHDG has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between JHDG and VYM?
23.4% of JHDG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 16.1% of VYM's is in holdings JHDG also owns. They hold 15 positions in common, counted across the 55 positions we hold weights for in JHDG and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, JHDG or VYM?
JHDG yields 0.10% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than JHDG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.