BLV vs. VYM
BLV (Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BLV is a Long-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Long Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index, while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BLV returned 0.32%/yr vs 11.68%/yr for VYM. Their -0.16 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. BLV charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.
Performance
BLV vs. VYM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BLV achieves a -2.38% return, which is significantly lower than VYM's 14.80% return. Over the past 10 years, BLV has underperformed VYM with an annualized return of 0.32%, while VYM has yielded a comparatively higher 11.68% annualized return.
BLV
- 1D
- 0.44%
- 1M
- -3.14%
- 6M
- -2.34%
- YTD
- -2.38%
- 1Y
- -0.29%
- 3Y*
- 2.08%
- 5Y*
- -5.11%
- 10Y*
- 0.32%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.05%
VYM
- 1D
- 0.51%
- 1M
- 2.08%
- 6M
- 9.09%
- YTD
- 14.80%
- 1Y
- 25.54%
- 3Y*
- 17.71%
- 5Y*
- 12.36%
- 10Y*
- 11.68%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.40%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $51.99M | $52.76M | $45.16M | |
| $204.09M | $201.36M | $203.61M |
BLV vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BLV Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF | -2.38% | 6.44% | -3.65% | 7.35% | -26.95% | -2.89% | 16.13% | 18.99% | -4.17% | 10.74% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 14.80% | 15.42% | 17.60% | 6.57% | -0.43% | 26.20% | 1.15% | 24.06% | -5.92% | 16.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between BLV and VYM is 0.33, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.33 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.26 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.18 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.01 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 2007 | -0.16 |
The correlation between BLV and VYM shifts across timeframes, from -0.16 (all time) to 0.33 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BLV vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank
BLV
VYM
BLV vs. VYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| BLV | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.56 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.60 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.00 | 1.46 | -0.46 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.05 | 3.83 | -3.88 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.11 | 14.40 | -14.51 |
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Drawdowns
BLV vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BLV drawdown since its inception was -38.29%, smaller than the maximum VYM drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BLV and VYM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BLV | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -38.29% | -56.98% | +18.69% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.92% | -6.69% | +0.77% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -11.70% | -14.46% | +2.76% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -36.27% | -15.84% | -20.43% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.29% | -35.21% | -3.08% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -26.16% | -0.64% | -25.52% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.64% | -7.14% | -2.50% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.66% | 1.78% | +0.88% |
Volatility
BLV vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) is 2.19%, while Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) has a volatility of 2.40%. This indicates that BLV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BLV | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.19% | 2.40% | -0.21% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.97% | 7.43% | -1.46% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.77% | 10.19% | -2.42% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 12.91% | 13.87% | -0.96% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.95% | 16.30% | -4.35% |
BLV vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison
BLV has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VYM's 0.04% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
BLV vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison
BLV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.97%, more than VYM's 2.23% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BLV Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF | 4.97% | 4.67% | 5.09% | 4.06% | 4.17% | 3.37% | 6.12% | 3.57% | 4.07% | 3.63% | 4.16% | 4.37% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 2.23% | 2.44% | 2.74% | 3.12% | 3.01% | 2.76% | 3.18% | 3.03% | 3.40% | 2.80% | 2.91% | 3.22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BLV and VYM have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VYM has higher volatility (2.40%) compared to BLV (2.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BLV dropped -38.29% vs VYM's -56.98%.
On 10-year performance, VYM leads with 11.68% vs 0.32% for BLV. On fees, BLV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BLV has been the lower-risk option at 2.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VYM has performed better with a 11.68% return vs 0.32%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BLV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.04% for VYM.
BLV has the higher dividend yield at 4.97%, compared with 2.23% for VYM.
BLV is categorized as Long-Term Bond, while VYM is Dividend. BLV tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index, while VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for BLV and 0.04% for VYM.
VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs -0.04), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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