VNQI vs VYM
Vanguard Global ex-US Real Estate ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, VNQI or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VNQI is less concentrated, with 22.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | VNQI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.12% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $3.9B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.81% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 743 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -4.22% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | -4.10% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.61% | +18.12%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -1.94% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.3% | 12.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.4% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,067 | $17,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.3%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 1, 2010 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 1, 2010 to Sep 11, 2026 (15.9 years).
VNQI 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 15.9 years both funds cover.
VNQI vs VYM Performance
Vanguard Global ex-US Real Estate ETF (VNQI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VNQI returned -4.10% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, VNQI is down 4.22% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, VNQI compounded at +7.61% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -1.94% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.33% annualized vs +3.11%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VNQI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% compared with 12.9% 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 -38.4% for VNQI 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VNQI charges 0.12% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $12 vs $4 annually, a gap of $8 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VNQI currently yields 4.81% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 706 holdings in VNQI and 603 in VYM, totalling 99.5% and 99.5% 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 706 positions we hold weights for in VNQI and 603 in VYM, against full books of 743 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 568 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for VNQI (97.5% of the fund), and 7 for VNQI that do not appear in VYM (2.3%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VNQI 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, VNQI or VYM?
VNQI has an expense ratio of 0.12% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $8 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VNQI or VYM?
Over the past year VNQI returned -4.10% vs +17.57% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VNQI annualized +3.11% vs +10.33% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VNQI or VYM?
VNQI has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 12.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VNQI -38.4% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both VNQI and VYM?
VNQI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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, VNQI or VYM?
VNQI yields 4.81% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VNQI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than VNQI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VNQI is less concentrated, with 22.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.