VGHY vs VOO
Vanguard High-Yield Active ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, VGHY or VOO?
High Yield Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y.
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 | VGHY | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.22% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $307M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.01% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 608 | 509 |
| YTD Return | -2.28% | +11.55%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.55% | +17.54%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.71% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.80% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.7%Best | 13.4% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 27, 2025 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
VGHY vs VOO 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.
VGHY vs VOO Performance
Vanguard High-Yield Active ETF (VGHY) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VGHY returned -0.55% while VOO returned +17.54%. Year to date, VGHY is down 2.28% versus a gain of 11.55% for VOO.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.4% compared with 2.7% for VGHY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VGHY charges 0.22% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $22 vs $3 annually, a gap of $19 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VGHY currently yields 5.01% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 26 holdings in VGHY and 505 in VOO, totalling 3.4% and 99.9% 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 26 positions we hold weights for in VGHY and 505 in VOO, against full books of 608 and 509.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VGHY and VOO 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, VGHY or VOO?
VGHY has an expense ratio of 0.22% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $19 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VGHY or VOO?
Over the past year VGHY returned -0.55% vs +17.54% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VGHY or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 13.4% annualized versus 2.7% for VGHY.
Should I hold both VGHY and VOO?
VGHY and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, 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, VGHY or VOO?
VGHY yields 5.01% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VGHY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than VGHY?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.