THW vs VYM
Abrdn World Healthcare Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, THW or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. THW led over 1Y, VYM over 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 | THW | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.00% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $483M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 10.27% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 123 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +20.44%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +32.78%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.07% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.94% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.9% | 14.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -55.7% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,986 | $17,845Best |
| Fund Family | Aberdeen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 26, 2015 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2015 to Sep 4, 2026 (11.2 years).
THW 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 11.2 years both funds cover.
THW vs VYM Performance
Abrdn World Healthcare Fund (THW) is an ETF from Aberdeen and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year THW returned +32.78% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, THW is up 20.44% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, THW compounded at +15.07% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +6.94% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.66% annualized vs +2.15%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
THW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.9% 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 -55.7% for THW 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
THW charges 3.00% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $300 vs $4 annually, a gap of $296 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, THW currently yields 10.27% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 9.9% of VYM's money is in holdings THW also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for THW, our book for it lists positions totalling 118.6% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
VYM and THW share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 181 days apart, THW as of Dec 31, 2025 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.
10 positions in common, counted across the 96 positions we hold weights for in THW and 603 in VYM, against full books of 123 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in THW | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 3.85% | 1.85% | 2.00% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 3.56% | 1.32% | 2.24% |
| ABTAbbott Laboratories | 3.63% | 0.65% | 2.98% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.85% | 2.54% | 1.69% |
| MDTMEDTRONIC | 2.73% | 0.42% | 2.31% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 1.08% | 1.56% | 0.48% |
| CVSCvs Health Corp. | 1.46% | 0.55% | 0.91% |
| BDXBecton Dickinson And Co. | 1.63% | 0.18% | 1.45% |
| BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 1.21% | 0.49% | 0.72% |
| ELVElevance Health Inc | 0.90% | 0.34% | 0.56% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of THW 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, THW or VYM?
THW has an expense ratio of 3.00% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $296 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, THW or VYM?
Over the past year THW returned +32.78% vs +20.84% for VYM, so THW leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), THW annualized +2.15% vs +9.66% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, THW or VYM?
THW has been the more volatile fund at 20.9% annualized versus 14.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: THW -55.7% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both THW and VYM?
THW and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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 THW and VYM?
At least 9.9% of VYM's money is in holdings THW also owns. Our book for THW is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 10 positions in common, counted across the 96 positions we hold weights for in THW and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, THW or VYM?
THW yields 10.27% while VYM yields 2.24%, so THW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than THW?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. THW led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.