BNDW vs. VYM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BNDW (Vanguard Total World Bond ETF) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BNDW is a Global Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Float Adjusted Composite Index, while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BNDW returned 0.22%/yr vs 11.48%/yr for VYM. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BNDW charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.

Performance

BNDW vs. VYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total World Bond ETF (BNDW) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BNDW achieves a 0.42% return, which is significantly lower than VYM's 12.47% return.

BNDW

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: 0.42%
• 6M: 0.18%
• 1Y: 3.51%
• 3Y*: 3.99%
• 5Y*: 0.22%
• 10Y*: —

VYM

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: 3.38%
• YTD: 12.47%
• 6M: 12.01%
• 1Y: 26.16%
• 3Y*: 18.88%
• 5Y*: 11.48%
• 10Y*: 11.90%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BNDW vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
BNDW Vanguard Total World Bond ETF	0.42%	5.02%	2.42%	7.18%	-12.88%	-2.10%	6.22%	8.37%	1.21%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	12.47%	15.42%	17.60%	6.57%	-0.43%	26.20%	1.15%	24.06%	-9.40%

Correlation

The correlation between BNDW and VYM is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.23
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 7, 2018	0.05

Over the past year, BNDW and VYM have become more correlated (0.33) than their long-term average of 0.05, meaning their price movements have been converging.

BNDW vs. VYM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BNDW	VYM
Technology	100.0%	17.7%
Basic Materials	-	3.5%
Communication Services	-	3.5%
Consumer Cyclical	-	6.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	8.1%
Energy	-	9.8%
Financial Services	-	20.5%
Healthcare	-	12.2%
Industrials	-	12.1%
Real Estate	-	0.0%
Utilities	-	5.7%

Return for Risk

BNDW vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

BNDW

BNDW Risk / Return Rank: 27
BNDW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
BNDW Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
BNDW Omega Ratio Rank: 26
BNDW Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
BNDW Martin Ratio Rank: 26

VYM

VYM Risk / Return Rank: 77
VYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
VYM Omega Ratio Rank: 76
VYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
VYM Martin Ratio Rank: 75

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BNDW vs. VYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total World Bond ETF (BNDW) 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.

	BNDW	VYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.05	2.56	-1.51
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.50	3.65	-2.15
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.46	-0.28
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.31	3.93	-2.62
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.70	14.76	-11.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BNDW vs. VYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BNDW Sharpe Ratio is 1.05, which is lower than the VYM Sharpe Ratio of 2.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BNDW and VYM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BNDW	VYM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.05	2.56	-1.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04	0.83	-0.78
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.51	-0.14

Drawdowns

BNDW vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BNDW drawdown since its inception was -17.22%, smaller than the maximum VYM drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BNDW and VYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	BNDW	VYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.22%	-56.98%	+39.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.70%	-6.69%	+3.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.27%	-14.46%	+10.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.93%	-15.84%	-1.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.21%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.53%	-0.43%	-1.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.98%	-7.19%	+2.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.95%	1.78%	-0.83%

Volatility

BNDW vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total World Bond ETF (BNDW) is 1.31%, while Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) has a volatility of 2.77%. This indicates that BNDW 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.

Volatility by Period

	BNDW	VYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.31%	2.77%	-1.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.62%	7.67%	-5.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.36%	10.28%	-6.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.21%	13.96%	-8.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.90%	16.34%	-11.44%

BNDW vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

BNDW has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than VYM's 0.04% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

BNDW vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison

BNDW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.21%, more than VYM's 2.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BNDW Vanguard Total World Bond ETF	4.21%	4.12%	3.90%	3.73%	2.02%	2.58%	1.56%	3.05%	1.66%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	2.19%	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

Can I hold both BNDW and VYM in my portfolio?

BNDW 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.

Which is riskier, BNDW or VYM?

VYM has higher volatility (2.77%) compared to BNDW (1.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BNDW dropped -17.22% vs VYM's -56.98%.

Which ETF is better, BNDW or VYM?

On 5-year performance, VYM leads with 11.48% vs 0.22% for BNDW. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, BNDW has been the lower-risk option at 1.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BNDW or VYM?

Over the 5-year period, VYM has performed better with a 11.48% return vs 0.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BNDW or VYM?

VYM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.05% for BNDW.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BNDW or VYM?

BNDW has the higher dividend yield at 4.21%, compared with 2.19% for VYM.

What is the main difference between BNDW and VYM?

BNDW is categorized as Global Bonds, while VYM is Dividend. BNDW tracks Bloomberg Global Aggregate Float Adjusted Composite Index, while VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for BNDW and 0.04% for VYM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 1.05), 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.