DIVB vs. VYM
DIVB (iShares Core Dividend ETF) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both Dividend funds - DIVB tracks the Morningstar US Dividend and Buyback Index while VYM tracks the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DIVB returned 12.39%/yr vs 11.88%/yr for VYM. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. DIVB charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.
Performance
DIVB vs. VYM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, DIVB achieves a 17.14% return, which is significantly higher than VYM's 11.51% return.
DIVB
- 1D
- 1.02%
- 1M
- 1.64%
- YTD
- 17.14%
- 6M
- 16.48%
- 1Y
- 27.72%
- 3Y*
- 21.75%
- 5Y*
- 12.39%
- 10Y*
- —
VYM
- 1D
- -0.16%
- 1M
- 0.26%
- YTD
- 11.51%
- 6M
- 10.83%
- 1Y
- 24.08%
- 3Y*
- 18.41%
- 5Y*
- 11.88%
- 10Y*
- 11.98%
DIVB vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DIVB iShares Core Dividend ETF | 17.14% | 15.09% | 18.59% | 13.27% | -10.51% | 31.29% | 10.78% | 32.72% | -8.16% | 5.95% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 11.51% | 15.42% | 17.60% | 6.57% | -0.43% | 26.20% | 1.15% | 24.06% | -5.92% | 4.07% |
Correlation
The correlation between DIVB and VYM is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.90 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.94 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2017 | 0.92 |
The correlation between DIVB and VYM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
DIVB vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank
DIVB
VYM
DIVB vs. VYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core Dividend ETF (DIVB) 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.
| DIVB | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.01 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.42 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 4.08 | 3.61 | +0.47 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.64 | 13.43 | +0.21 |
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Drawdowns
DIVB vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum DIVB drawdown since its inception was -36.93%, smaller than the maximum VYM drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DIVB and VYM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| DIVB | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -36.93% | -56.98% | +20.05% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.82% | -6.69% | -0.13% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.45% | -14.46% | -0.99% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.08% | -15.84% | -5.24% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -35.21% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.10% | -1.28% | +0.18% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.97% | -7.18% | +2.21% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.04% | 1.80% | +0.24% |
Volatility
DIVB vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison
iShares Core Dividend ETF (DIVB) has a higher volatility of 4.61% compared to Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) at 3.02%. This indicates that DIVB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier 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
| DIVB | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.61% | 3.02% | +1.59% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.84% | 7.64% | +1.20% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.70% | 10.39% | +1.31% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.26% | 13.93% | +1.33% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.36% | 16.32% | +2.04% |
DIVB vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison
DIVB 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
DIVB vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison
DIVB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.27%, less than VYM's 2.30% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DIVB iShares Core Dividend ETF | 2.27% | 2.50% | 2.61% | 3.18% | 2.02% | 1.63% | 2.08% | 2.07% | 2.52% | 0.37% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 2.30% | 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
With a correlation of 0.90, DIVB and VYM move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
DIVB has higher volatility (4.61%) compared to VYM (3.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DIVB dropped -36.93% vs VYM's -56.98%.
On 5-year performance, DIVB leads with 12.39% vs 11.88% for VYM. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VYM has been the lower-risk option at 3.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, DIVB has performed better with a 12.39% return vs 11.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VYM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.05% for DIVB.
VYM has the higher dividend yield at 2.30%, compared with 2.27% for DIVB.
DIVB tracks Morningstar US Dividend and Buyback Index, while VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for DIVB and 0.04% for VYM.
DIVB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 2.33), 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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