PGZ vs VYM
Principal Real Estate Income Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, PGZ or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend 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 | PGZ | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.16% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $73M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.39% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 110 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +6.21% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.91% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.80% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.74% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.1% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -68.8% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,901 | $17,845Best |
| Fund Family | Principal Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 26, 2013 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 20, 2006 to Sep 4, 2026 (19.7 years).
PGZ 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 19.7 years both funds cover.
PGZ vs VYM Performance
Principal Real Estate Income Fund (PGZ) is an ETF from Principal Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PGZ returned +4.91% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, PGZ is up 6.21% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, PGZ compounded at +13.80% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +1.74% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.88% annualized vs -1.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PGZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.1% compared with 14.6% 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 -68.8% for PGZ and -58.8% 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 0.61. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PGZ charges 2.16% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $216 vs $4 annually, a gap of $212 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PGZ currently yields 11.39% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 61 holdings in PGZ and 602 in VYM, totalling 59.8% 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 150 days apart, PGZ as of Jan 31, 2026 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 61 positions we hold weights for in PGZ and 602 in VYM, against full books of 110 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PGZ 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, PGZ or VYM?
PGZ has an expense ratio of 2.16% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $212 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PGZ or VYM?
Over the past year PGZ returned +4.91% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), PGZ annualized -1.72% vs +6.88% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PGZ or VYM?
PGZ has been the more volatile fund at 21.1% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: PGZ -68.8% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both PGZ and VYM?
PGZ and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.61, 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, PGZ or VYM?
PGZ yields 11.39% while VYM yields 2.24%, so PGZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than PGZ?
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.