SDHY vs VTI
PGIM Short Duration High Yield Opportunities Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, SDHY or VTI?
Short Term High Quality against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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 | SDHY | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.90% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $441M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.54% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 572 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -0.49% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.28% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.74% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.36% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.1%Best | 15.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -23.1%Best | -25.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,379 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | PGIM Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term High Quality | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 25, 2020 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 25, 2020 to Sep 11, 2026 (5.8 years).
SDHY vs VTI 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 5.8 years both funds cover.
SDHY vs VTI Performance
PGIM Short Duration High Yield Opportunities Fund (SDHY) is an ETF from PGIM Investments and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SDHY returned -1.28% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, SDHY is down 0.49% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, SDHY compounded at +9.74% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +4.36% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +14.27% annualized vs +3.54%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 10.1% for SDHY. 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 -23.1% for SDHY and -25.4% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SDHY charges 1.90% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $190 vs $3 annually, a gap of $187 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SDHY currently yields 7.54% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 456 holdings in SDHY and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 83.4% and 90.6% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 9 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 151 days apart, SDHY as of Jan 30, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
9 positions in common, counted across the 456 positions we hold weights for in SDHY and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 572 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SDHY | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPHeritage Pwr Llc | 0.64% | 0.00% | 0.64% |
| BYDBoyd Gaming Corp | 0.31% | 0.00% | 0.31% |
| WWWWolverine Fuels Holding, Llc | 0.25% | 0.00% | 0.25% |
| TDWTidewater Inc | 0.24% | 0.00% | 0.24% |
| FORForestar Group Inc | 0.18% | 0.00% | 0.18% |
| MRPMillrose Properties, Inc. | 0.18% | 0.00% | 0.18% |
| MHOM/I Homes Inc | 0.11% | 0.00% | 0.11% |
| GTNGray Television Inc | 0.06% | 0.00% | 0.06% |
| CENXCentury Aluminum Co | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.02% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SDHY and VTI 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, SDHY or VTI?
SDHY has an expense ratio of 1.90% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $187 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SDHY or VTI?
Over the past year SDHY returned -1.28% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), SDHY annualized +3.54% vs +14.27% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SDHY or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 10.1% for SDHY. Worst drawdown: SDHY -23.1% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both SDHY and VTI?
SDHY and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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, SDHY or VTI?
SDHY yields 7.54% while VTI yields 1.03%, so SDHY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than SDHY?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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.