VYM vs WDAF
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund ETF
Which is better, VYM or WDAF?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.3%.
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 | VYM | WDAF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.45% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $20M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 0.12% |
| Holdings | 613 | 69 |
| YTD Return | +10.23%Best | +4.10% |
| 1Y Return | +14.28%Best | -3.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.50% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.60% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.7%Best | 34.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -6.7%Best | -28.2% |
| $10,000 over 1 years | $11,386Best | $9,778 |
| Top 10 Weight | 26.1%Best | 62.3% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | WisdomTree Investments |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Sep 12, 2025 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 12, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026 (1 years).
VYM vs WDAF 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 years both funds cover.
VYM vs WDAF Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund ETF (WDAF) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments. Over the past year VYM returned +14.28% while WDAF returned -3.34%. Year to date, VYM is up 10.23% versus a gain of 4.10% for WDAF.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WDAF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 34.7% compared with 10.7% 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 -6.7% for VYM and -28.2% for WDAF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.53. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while WDAF charges 0.45%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $45 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.22% against 0.12% for WDAF.
Holdings Overlap
0.1% of VYM's money is in holdings WDAF also owns. 8.9% of WDAF's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
WDAF and VYM share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 60 in WDAF, against full books of 613 and 69.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1 positions for WDAF that do not appear in our book for VYM (0.0% of the fund), and 527 for VYM that do not appear in WDAF (97.0%).
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 VYM | Weight in WDAF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HALHalliburton Co. | 0.11% | 8.91% | 8.80% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VYM and WDAF 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, VYM or WDAF?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while WDAF charges 0.45%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $41 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or WDAF?
Over the past year VYM returned +14.28% vs -3.34% for WDAF, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), VYM annualized +13.86% vs -2.22% for WDAF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or WDAF?
WDAF has been the more volatile fund at 34.7% annualized versus 10.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -6.7% vs WDAF -28.2%.
Should I hold both VYM and WDAF?
VYM and WDAF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.53, 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 VYM and WDAF?
8.9% of WDAF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 8.9% of WDAF's is in holdings VYM also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 60 in WDAF.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or WDAF?
VYM yields 2.22% while WDAF yields 0.12%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WDAF better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.