VYM vs WTMY
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs WisdomTree High Income Laddered Municipal Fund ETF
Which is better, VYM or WTMY?
Large Cap Value against Municipal Bond.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y 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 | WTMY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $5M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 3.77% |
| Holdings | 613 | 70 |
| YTD Return | +11.35%Best | -1.35% |
| 1Y Return | +15.34%Best | -0.67% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.22% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.30% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.3% | 4.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -7.5% | -3.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.5 years | $13,343Best | $10,320 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | WisdomTree Investments |
| Category | Equity | Tax Preferred |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Municipal Bond |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Apr 3, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 3, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.5 years).
VYM vs WTMY 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 1.5 years both funds cover.
VYM vs WTMY Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and WisdomTree High Income Laddered Municipal Fund ETF (WTMY) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments. Over the past year VYM returned +15.34% while WTMY returned -0.67%. Year to date, VYM is up 11.35% versus a loss of 1.35% for WTMY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 9.3% compared with 4.3% for WTMY. 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 -7.5% for VYM and -3.7% for WTMY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while WTMY charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $35 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.22% against 3.77% for WTMY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VYM and WTMY 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 WTMY?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while WTMY charges 0.35%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or WTMY?
Over the past year VYM returned +15.34% vs -0.67% for WTMY, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), VYM annualized +21.20% vs +2.12% for WTMY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or WTMY?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 9.3% annualized versus 4.3% for WTMY. Worst drawdown: VYM -7.5% vs WTMY -3.7%.
Should I hold both VYM and WTMY?
VYM and WTMY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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 WTMY?
VYM yields 2.22% while WTMY yields 3.77%, so WTMY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is WTMY better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.