VYM vs WIA
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs Western Asset Inflation-Linked Income Fund
Which is better, VYM or WIA?
Large Cap Value against Inflation Protection.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | WIA |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.83% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $205M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 7.08% |
| Holdings | 613 | 161 |
| YTD Return | +12.87%Best | -0.10% |
| 1Y Return | +17.25%Best | +0.35% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.66%Best | +6.91% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.98%Best | -1.31% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5% | 9.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -58.8% | -32.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,608Best | $9,362 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Inflation Protection |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Sep 30, 2003 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 15, 2026 (19.8 years).
VYM vs WIA 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
VYM vs WIA Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Western Asset Inflation-Linked Income Fund (WIA) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US). Over the past year VYM returned +17.25% while WIA returned +0.35%. Year to date, VYM is up 12.87% versus a loss of 0.10% for WIA.
Over three years, VYM compounded at +17.66% per year against +6.91% for WIA; over five years the annualized figures are +11.98% and -1.31% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.90% annualized vs +0.85%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 9.8% for WIA. 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 -58.8% for VYM and -32.5% for WIA. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.42. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while WIA charges 0.83%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $83 annually, a gap of $79 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.22% against 7.08% for WIA.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 557 holdings in VYM and 89 in WIA, totalling 99.2% and 121.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 154 days apart, VYM as of Jul 31, 2026 and WIA as of Feb 27, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 89 in WIA, against full books of 613 and 161.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VYM and WIA 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 WIA?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while WIA charges 0.83%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $79 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or WIA?
Over the past year VYM returned +17.25% vs +0.35% for WIA, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VYM annualized +6.90% vs +0.85% for WIA. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or WIA?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 9.8% for WIA. Worst drawdown: VYM -58.8% vs WIA -32.5%.
Should I hold both VYM and WIA?
VYM and WIA have a monthly-return correlation of 0.42, 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, VYM or WIA?
VYM yields 2.22% while WIA yields 7.08%, so WIA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WIA better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.