RDVI vs VYM
FT Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, RDVI or VYM?
Each has led over a different period.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RDVI led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. RDVI is less concentrated, with 23.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | RDVI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $3.7B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.89% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 73 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +8.76% | +10.23%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.59% | +14.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.99%Best | +17.50% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.60% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1% | 11.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.4% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $19,114Best | $17,690 |
| Top 10 Weight | 23.7%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 19, 2022 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 20, 2022 to Sep 23, 2026 (3.9 years).
RDVI 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 3.9 years both funds cover.
RDVI vs VYM Performance
FT Vest Rising Dividend Achievers Target Income ETF (RDVI) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RDVI returned +13.59% while VYM returned +14.28%. Year to date, RDVI is up 8.76% versus a gain of 10.23% for VYM.
Over three years, RDVI compounded at +17.99% per year against +17.50% for VYM. Across the full 4-year window we track, RDVI has the edge at +18.07% annualized vs +15.75%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RDVI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% compared with 11.7% 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 -18.4% for RDVI and -14.5% 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
RDVI charges 0.75% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $4 annually, a gap of $71 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RDVI currently yields 7.89% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
47.9% of RDVI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 15.1% of VYM's money is in holdings RDVI also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
37 positions in common, counted across the 71 positions we hold weights for in RDVI and 557 in VYM, against full books of 73 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 492 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for RDVI (82.4% of the fund), and 34 for RDVI that do not appear in VYM (52.0%).
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 RDVI | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 2.06% | 3.82% | 1.76% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 2.12% | 1.66% | 0.46% |
| BKBank Of New York Mellon Corp | 2.39% | 0.44% | 1.95% |
| TRVThe Travelers Cos, Inc. | 2.21% | 0.32% | 1.89% |
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. | 2.08% | 0.43% | 1.65% |
| CBChubb Ltd. | 1.95% | 0.50% | 1.45% |
| ALLAllstate Corp. | 2.17% | 0.27% | 1.90% |
| BKRBaker Hughes Co | 2.02% | 0.24% | 1.78% |
| WSMWilliams-sonoma Inc | 2.07% | 0.11% | 1.96% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 1.01% | 1.07% | 0.06% |
47.9% of RDVI 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, RDVI or VYM?
RDVI has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $71 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RDVI or VYM?
Over the past year RDVI returned +13.59% vs +14.28% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), RDVI annualized +18.07% vs +15.75% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RDVI or VYM?
RDVI has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 11.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: RDVI -18.4% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both RDVI and VYM?
RDVI 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 RDVI and VYM?
47.9% of RDVI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 15.1% of VYM's is in holdings RDVI also owns. They hold 37 positions in common, counted across the 71 positions we hold weights for in RDVI and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, RDVI or VYM?
RDVI yields 7.89% while VYM yields 2.22%, so RDVI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than RDVI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RDVI led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. RDVI is less concentrated, with 23.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.