VYM vs WDIV
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P Global Dividend ETF
Which is better, VYM or WDIV?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 5Y and the full window, WDIV over 1Y and 3Y. WDIV is less concentrated, with 17.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | VYM | WDIV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.40% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $289M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 4.01% |
| Holdings | 613 | 121 |
| YTD Return | +11.35% | +13.25%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.34% | +19.55%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.22% | +18.31%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.30%Best | +9.82% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.4%Best | 14.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.7%Best | -44.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,861Best | $15,974 |
| Top 10 Weight | 26.1% | 17.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | SPDR State Street Global Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | May 29, 2013 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 30, 2013 to Sep 18, 2026 (13.3 years).
VYM vs WDIV 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 13.3 years both funds cover.
VYM vs WDIV Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and State Street SPDR S&P Global Dividend ETF (WDIV) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors. Over the past year VYM returned +15.34% while WDIV returned +19.55%. Year to date, VYM is up 11.35% versus a gain of 13.25% for WDIV.
Over three years, VYM compounded at +17.22% per year against +18.31% for WDIV; over five years the annualized figures are +12.30% and +9.82% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.22% annualized vs +4.44%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
WDIV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 13.4% 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 -35.7% for VYM and -44.5% for WDIV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while WDIV charges 0.40%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $40 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.22% against 4.01% for WDIV.
Holdings Overlap
2.5% of VYM's money is in holdings WDIV also owns. 13.9% of WDIV's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
WDIV and VYM share little of their money.
13 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 95 in WDIV, against full books of 613 and 121.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 10 positions for WDIV that do not appear in our book for VYM (11.4% of the fund), and 515 for VYM that do not appear in WDIV (94.6%).
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 WDIV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VZVerizon Communic | 0.80% | 1.56% | 0.76% |
| PFEPfizer Inc | 0.58% | 1.37% | 0.79% |
| MOAltria Group Inc | 0.46% | 1.49% | 1.03% |
| OKEOneok Inc. | 0.23% | 1.28% | 1.05% |
| AMCRAmcor Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.08% | 1.22% | 1.14% |
| ENREnergizer Holdings Inc | 0.01% | 1.18% | 1.17% |
| HASIHa Sustainable Infrastructure Capital Inc | 0.02% | 1.11% | 1.09% |
| EIXEdison Intl | 0.11% | 0.95% | 0.84% |
| COLBColumbia Banking System Inc Common Stock | 0.04% | 0.96% | 0.92% |
| FIBKFirst Intst Bancsyst Inc Cl A | 0.01% | 0.95% | 0.94% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VYM and WDIV 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 WDIV?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while WDIV charges 0.40%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or WDIV?
Over the past year VYM returned +15.34% vs +19.55% for WDIV, so WDIV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), VYM annualized +9.22% vs +4.44% for WDIV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or WDIV?
WDIV has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 13.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -35.7% vs WDIV -44.5%.
Should I hold both VYM and WDIV?
VYM and WDIV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 WDIV?
13.9% of WDIV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 13.9% of WDIV's is in holdings VYM also owns. They hold 13 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 95 in WDIV.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or WDIV?
VYM yields 2.22% while WDIV yields 4.01%, so WDIV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WDIV better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 5Y and the full window, WDIV over 1Y and 3Y. WDIV is less concentrated, with 17.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.