PDX vs VYM
PIMCO Dynamic Income Strategy Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, PDX or VYM?
Short Term High Quality against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. PDX led over 3Y and 5Y, VYM over 1Y 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 | PDX | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.29% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.0B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 19.41% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 442 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +21.55%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +10.42% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.53%Best | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +24.46%Best | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 39.3% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -83.0% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $29,864Best | $17,845 |
| Fund Family | PIMCO (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term High Quality | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 1, 2019 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 30, 2019 to Sep 4, 2026 (7.6 years).
PDX 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 7.6 years both funds cover.
PDX vs VYM Performance
PIMCO Dynamic Income Strategy Fund (PDX) is an ETF from PIMCO (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PDX returned +10.42% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, PDX is up 21.55% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, PDX compounded at +21.53% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +24.46% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +11.89% annualized vs +8.00%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PDX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 39.3% compared with 15.1% 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 -83.0% for PDX 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PDX charges 3.29% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $329 vs $4 annually, a gap of $325 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PDX currently yields 19.41% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 7 holdings in PDX and 603 in VYM, totalling 20.8% 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, PDX 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 7 positions we hold weights for in PDX and 603 in VYM, against full books of 442 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PDX 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, PDX or VYM?
PDX has an expense ratio of 3.29% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $325 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PDX or VYM?
Over the past year PDX returned +10.42% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), PDX annualized +8.00% vs +11.89% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PDX or VYM?
PDX has been the more volatile fund at 39.3% annualized versus 15.1% for VYM. Worst drawdown: PDX -83.0% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both PDX and VYM?
PDX and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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, PDX or VYM?
PDX yields 19.41% while VYM yields 2.24%, so PDX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than PDX?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. PDX led over 3Y and 5Y, VYM over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.