VBIL vs VYM
Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, VBIL or VYM?
Ultrashort Term Bond against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y 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 | VBIL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $11.4B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.58% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 28 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +2.59% | +10.96%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.73% | +15.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.78% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.05% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 0.5%Best | 10.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -0.1%Best | -14.5% |
| $10,000 over 1.6 years | $10,766 | $12,303Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Ultrashort Term Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 7, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 11, 2025 to Sep 22, 2026 (1.6 years).
VBIL 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 1.6 years both funds cover.
VBIL vs VYM Performance
Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VBIL returned +3.73% while VYM returned +15.42%. Year to date, VBIL is up 2.59% versus a gain of 10.96% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.4% compared with 0.5% for VBIL. 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 -0.1% for VBIL 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 0.03. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VBIL charges 0.06% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $4 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VBIL currently yields 3.58% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in VBIL and 557 in VYM, totalling 0.0% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in VBIL and 557 in VYM, against full books of 28 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VBIL 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, VBIL or VYM?
VBIL has an expense ratio of 0.06% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VBIL or VYM?
Over the past year VBIL returned +3.73% vs +15.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), VBIL annualized +4.72% vs +13.83% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VBIL or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 10.4% annualized versus 0.5% for VBIL. Worst drawdown: VBIL -0.1% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both VBIL and VYM?
VBIL and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.03, 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, VBIL or VYM?
VBIL yields 3.58% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VBIL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than VBIL?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.