SDG vs VYM
iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SDG or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.9%.
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 | SDG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $176M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.63% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 147 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +6.48% | +10.96%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.22% | +15.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.38% | +17.78%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.41% | +12.05%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.4% | 14.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -30.4%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,207 | $17,663Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 36.9% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 20, 2016 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 22, 2016 to Sep 22, 2026 (10.4 years).
SDG 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 10.4 years both funds cover.
SDG vs VYM Performance
iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF (SDG) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SDG returned +11.22% while VYM returned +15.42%. Year to date, SDG is up 6.48% versus a gain of 10.96% for VYM.
Over three years, SDG compounded at +8.38% per year against +17.78% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +0.41% and +12.05% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.86% annualized vs +7.16%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SDG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.4% compared with 14.0% 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 -30.4% for SDG 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SDG charges 0.50% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $4 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SDG currently yields 1.63% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
11.3% of SDG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.8% of VYM's money is in holdings SDG also owns.
SDG and VYM share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 121 positions we hold weights for in SDG and 557 in VYM, against full books of 147 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 524 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for SDG (96.3% of the fund), and 19 for SDG that do not appear in VYM (25.5%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SDG 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, SDG or VYM?
SDG has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SDG or VYM?
Over the past year SDG returned +11.22% vs +15.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), SDG annualized +7.16% vs +9.86% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SDG or VYM?
SDG has been the more volatile fund at 14.4% annualized versus 14.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: SDG -30.4% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both SDG and VYM?
SDG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 SDG and VYM?
11.3% of SDG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.8% of VYM's is in holdings SDG also owns. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 121 positions we hold weights for in SDG and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, SDG or VYM?
SDG yields 1.63% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SDG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.