VDE vs VYM
Vanguard Energy ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, VDE or VYM?
Each has led over a different period.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VDE led over 1Y and 5Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 65.1%.
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 | VDE | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $12.4B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.24% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 114 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +46.07%Best | +12.87% |
| 1Y Return | +53.64%Best | +17.25% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.23% | +17.66%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +25.49%Best | +11.98% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 27.0% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -78.5% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $31,120Best | $17,608 |
| Top 10 Weight | 65.1% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 23, 2004 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 15, 2026 (19.8 years).
VDE 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
VDE vs VYM Performance
Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VDE returned +53.64% while VYM returned +17.25%. Year to date, VDE is up 46.07% versus a gain of 12.87% for VYM.
Over three years, VDE compounded at +16.23% per year against +17.66% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +25.49% and +11.98% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.90% annualized vs +5.18%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VDE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.0% compared with 14.5% 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 -78.5% for VDE and -58.8% 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 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VDE charges 0.09% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $4 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VDE currently yields 2.24% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
88.4% of VDE's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.5% of VYM's money is in holdings VDE also owns.
Most of VDE is already inside VYM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
43 positions in common, counted across the 112 positions we hold weights for in VDE and 557 in VYM, against full books of 114 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 484 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for VDE (87.6% of the fund), and 57 for VDE that do not appear in VYM (9.5%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VDE | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 22.03% | 2.63% | 19.40% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 14.36% | 1.48% | 12.88% |
| COPConocophillips Common Stock USD 0.01 | 5.83% | 0.60% | 5.23% |
| VLOValero Energy | 3.76% | 0.38% | 3.38% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 3.75% | 0.38% | 3.37% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 3.42% | 0.35% | 3.07% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 3.36% | 0.34% | 3.02% |
| EOGEog Resources Inc | 3.19% | 0.32% | 2.87% |
| SLBSchlumberger Nv. | 2.97% | 0.30% | 2.67% |
| KMIKinder Morgan Inc./de | 2.46% | 0.25% | 2.21% |
88.4% of VDE is already inside VYM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VDE or VYM?
VDE has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VDE or VYM?
Over the past year VDE returned +53.64% vs +17.25% for VYM, so VDE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VDE annualized +5.18% vs +6.90% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VDE or VYM?
VDE has been the more volatile fund at 27.0% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VDE -78.5% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both VDE and VYM?
VDE and VYM 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.
What is the holdings overlap between VDE and VYM?
88.4% of VDE's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.5% of VYM's is in holdings VDE also owns. They hold 43 positions in common, counted across the 112 positions we hold weights for in VDE and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, VDE or VYM?
VDE yields 2.24% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VDE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than VDE?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VDE led over 1Y and 5Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 65.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.