NDVG vs VYM
Nuveen Dividend Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, NDVG or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.3%.
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 | NDVG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $13M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.09% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 43 | 613 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.1%Tie | 14.1%Tie |
| Max Drawdown | -19.7% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $14,252 | $16,207Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 43.3% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 4, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 151 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. NDVG has data through Apr 6, 2026 and VYM through Sep 4, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 5, 2021 to Apr 6, 2026 (4.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NDVG and VYM have been equally volatile, both at 14.1% annualized.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -19.7% for NDVG and -15.8% 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NDVG charges 0.65% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $4 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NDVG currently yields 1.09% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
46.9% of NDVG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 25.2% of VYM's money is in holdings NDVG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 181 days apart, NDVG as of Dec 31, 2025 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
23 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in NDVG and 603 in VYM, against full books of 43 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 549 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for NDVG (72.6% of the fund), and 15 for NDVG that do not appear in VYM (42.9%).
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 NDVG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 5.85% | 7.29% | 1.44% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 4.24% | 3.38% | 0.86% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 2.57% | 1.85% | 0.72% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.90% | 2.36% | 0.46% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 2.68% | 0.76% | 1.92% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 2.23% | 1.17% | 1.06% |
| MCDMcdonald'S Corp | 2.32% | 0.80% | 1.52% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 1.68% | 1.28% | 0.40% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 2.18% | 0.65% | 1.53% |
| LINLinde Plc (united Kingdom) | 1.72% | 0.99% | 0.73% |
46.9% of NDVG 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, NDVG or VYM?
NDVG has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, NDVG or VYM?
NDVG and VYM have been equally volatile, both at 14.1% annualized. Worst drawdown: NDVG -19.7% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both NDVG and VYM?
NDVG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 NDVG and VYM?
46.9% of NDVG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 25.2% of VYM's is in holdings NDVG also owns. They hold 23 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in NDVG and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, NDVG or VYM?
NDVG yields 1.09% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than NDVG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.