VYM vs ZTR
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF vs Virtus Total Return Fund Inc
Which is better, VYM or ZTR?
Large Cap Value against Allocation/Balanced.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, ZTR over 3Y.
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 | ZTR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 2.53% |
| AUM | $81.6B | $368M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.22% | 8.30% |
| Holdings | 613 | 796 |
| YTD Return | +11.35%Best | +6.56% |
| 1Y Return | +15.34%Best | +10.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.22% | +18.17%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.30%Best | +3.03% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6%Best | 17.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -58.8%Best | -78.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,861Best | $11,610 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Virtus Investment Partners |
| Category | Equity | Allocation/Balanced |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Allocation/Balanced |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2006 | Feb 24, 2005 |
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 18, 2026 (19.8 years).
VYM vs ZTR 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 ZTR Performance
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Virtus Total Return Fund Inc (ZTR) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners. Over the past year VYM returned +15.34% while ZTR returned +10.82%. Year to date, VYM is up 11.35% versus a gain of 6.56% for ZTR.
Over three years, VYM compounded at +17.22% per year against +18.17% for ZTR; over five years the annualized figures are +12.30% and +3.03% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.82% annualized vs -3.10%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ZTR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.8% compared with 14.6% 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 -58.8% for VYM and -78.9% for ZTR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VYM charges 0.04% per year while ZTR charges 2.53%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $253 annually, a gap of $249 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.22% against 8.30% for ZTR.
Holdings Overlap
At least 5.2% of VYM's money is in holdings ZTR also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for ZTR, our book for it lists positions totalling 129.3% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
VYM and ZTR share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, VYM as of Jul 31, 2026 and ZTR as of May 29, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
23 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 514 in ZTR, against full books of 613 and 796.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VYM | Weight in ZTR | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 0.70% | 5.21% | 4.51% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 0.74% | 4.56% | 3.82% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 0.35% | 3.54% | 3.19% |
| SOSouthern Co. | 0.43% | 3.34% | 2.91% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 0.24% | 2.97% | 2.73% |
| XELXcel Energy Inc. | 0.20% | 2.71% | 2.51% |
| ETREntergy Corp. | 0.20% | 2.69% | 2.49% |
| TRGPTarga Resources Corp Preferred | 0.23% | 2.47% | 2.24% |
| NINisource Inc. | 0.09% | 2.12% | 2.03% |
| EVRGEvergy Inc. | 0.08% | 1.91% | 1.83% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VYM and ZTR 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 ZTR?
VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% while ZTR charges 2.53%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $249 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VYM or ZTR?
Over the past year VYM returned +15.34% vs +10.82% for ZTR, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), VYM annualized +6.82% vs -3.10% for ZTR. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VYM or ZTR?
ZTR has been the more volatile fund at 17.8% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VYM -58.8% vs ZTR -78.9%.
Should I hold both VYM and ZTR?
VYM and ZTR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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 ZTR?
At least 5.2% of VYM's money is in holdings ZTR also owns. Our book for ZTR is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 23 positions in common, counted across the 557 positions we hold weights for in VYM and 514 in ZTR.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or ZTR?
VYM yields 2.22% while ZTR yields 8.30%, so ZTR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZTR better than VYM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, ZTR over 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.