SDHY vs VYM
PGIM Short Duration High Yield Opportunities Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SDHY or VYM?
Short Term High Quality 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 | SDHY | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.90% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $441M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.54% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 572 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -0.49% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.28% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.74% | +18.12%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.36% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.1%Best | 13.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -23.1% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,379 | $17,758Best |
| Fund Family | PGIM Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term High Quality | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 25, 2020 | Nov 10, 2006 |
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 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 5.8 years both funds cover.
SDHY vs VYM Performance
PGIM Short Duration High Yield Opportunities Fund (SDHY) is an ETF from PGIM Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SDHY returned -1.28% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, SDHY is down 0.49% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, SDHY compounded at +9.74% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +4.36% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +13.78% annualized vs +3.54%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.2% 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 -15.8% 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
SDHY charges 1.90% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $190 vs $4 annually, a gap of $186 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SDHY currently yields 7.54% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 456 holdings in SDHY and 603 in VYM, totalling 83.4% and 99.5% of the two funds. That is not enough of SDHY to divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 2 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 151 days apart, SDHY as of Jan 30, 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.
2 positions in common, counted across the 456 positions we hold weights for in SDHY and 603 in VYM, against full books of 572 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SDHY | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPHeritage Pwr Llc | 0.64% | 0.01% | 0.63% |
| PFSI 4.25 02/15/29 1Pennymac Financial Services Inc | 0.43% | 0.01% | 0.42% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SDHY 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, SDHY or VYM?
SDHY has an expense ratio of 1.90% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $186 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SDHY or VYM?
Over the past year SDHY returned -1.28% vs +17.57% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), SDHY annualized +3.54% vs +13.78% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SDHY or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.2% annualized versus 10.1% for SDHY. Worst drawdown: SDHY -23.1% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both SDHY and VYM?
SDHY 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, SDHY or VYM?
SDHY yields 7.54% while VYM yields 2.22%, so SDHY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SDHY?
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.