VDIG vs VYM
Vanguard Wellington Dividend Growth Active ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, VDIG or VYM?
VYM has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.8%.
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 | VDIG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $32M | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.12% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 43 | 610 |
| YTD Return | +9.14% | +15.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.63% | +19.62%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.48% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.2% | 11.8%Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 44.8% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 14, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
VDIG 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
VDIG vs VYM Performance
Vanguard Wellington Dividend Growth Active ETF (VDIG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VDIG returned +12.63% while VYM returned +19.62%. Year to date, VDIG is up 9.14% versus a gain of 15.95% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VDIG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.2% compared with 11.8% for VYM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VDIG charges 0.40% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $4 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VDIG currently yields 0.12% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
47.4% of VDIG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 28.2% of VYM's money is in holdings VDIG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 64 days apart, VDIG as of Nov 3, 2026 and VYM as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
23 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in VDIG and 602 in VYM, against full books of 43 and 610.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 553 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for VDIG (70.4% of the fund), and 15 for VDIG that do not appear in VYM (43.3%).
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 VDIG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.59% | 6.94% | 2.35% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 4.54% | 3.83% | 0.71% |
| MRKMerck & Co. Inc. | 3.87% | 1.47% | 2.40% |
| XOMExxonmobil Holdings Corp Common Stock Usd | 1.89% | 2.70% | 0.81% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 2.56% | 1.39% | 1.17% |
| BLKBlackrock Funding Inc/De | 3.17% | 0.71% | 2.46% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 2.49% | 1.32% | 1.17% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 2.51% | 1.18% | 1.33% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 2.74% | 0.86% | 1.88% |
| TXNTexas Instruments, Inc | 2.43% | 0.96% | 1.47% |
47.4% of VDIG 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, VDIG or VYM?
VDIG has an expense ratio of 0.40% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VDIG or VYM?
Over the past year VDIG returned +12.63% vs +19.62% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VDIG or VYM?
VDIG has been the more volatile fund at 12.2% annualized versus 11.8% for VYM.
Should I hold both VDIG and VYM?
VDIG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 VDIG and VYM?
47.4% of VDIG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 28.2% of VYM's is in holdings VDIG also owns. They hold 23 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in VDIG and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, VDIG or VYM?
VDIG yields 0.12% while VYM yields 2.23%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than VDIG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.