PDI vs VYM
PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, PDI or VYM?
Diversified Sectoral 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 | PDI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 5.12% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $7.5B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 16.96% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,822 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -7.00% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | -12.72% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.94% | +17.99%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.08% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6% | 13.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -48.0% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,084 | $17,750Best |
| Fund Family | PIMCO (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Diversified Sectoral Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 25, 2012 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 25, 2012 to Sep 10, 2026 (14.3 years).
PDI 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 14.3 years both funds cover.
PDI vs VYM Performance
PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund (PDI) is an ETF from PIMCO (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PDI returned -12.72% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, PDI is down 7.00% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, PDI compounded at +8.94% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +2.08% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.35% annualized vs +1.78%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PDI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 13.1% for VYM. 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 -48.0% for PDI 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PDI charges 5.12% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $512 vs $4 annually, a gap of $508 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PDI currently yields 16.96% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 25 holdings in PDI and 603 in VYM, totalling 6.4% and 99.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 273 days apart, PDI as of Sep 30, 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 25 positions we hold weights for in PDI and 603 in VYM, against full books of 1,822 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PDI 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, PDI or VYM?
PDI has an expense ratio of 5.12% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $508 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PDI or VYM?
Over the past year PDI returned -12.72% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), PDI annualized +1.78% vs +10.35% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PDI or VYM?
PDI has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 13.1% for VYM. Worst drawdown: PDI -48.0% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both PDI and VYM?
PDI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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, PDI or VYM?
PDI yields 16.96% while VYM yields 2.22%, so PDI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than PDI?
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.