John Hancock US High Dividend ETF (JHDV) is a ETF from John Hancock Investment Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year JHDV returned +28.13% while VYM returned +26.12%. Year to date, JHDV is up 20.67% versus a gain of 15.80% for VYM.

Over three years, JHDV compounded at +20.94% per year against +18.25% for VYM. Across the full 4-year window we track, JHDV has the edge at +20.89% annualized vs +7.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 13.7% for JHDV. 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 -19.0% for JHDV and -58.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

JHDV charges 0.34% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $34 vs $4 annually, a gap of $30 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, JHDV currently yields 2.05% against 2.86% for VYM.