ESGV vs. VYM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ESGV (Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESGV is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the FTSE US All Cap Choice Index, while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESGV returned 12.64%/yr vs 11.48%/yr for VYM. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ESGV charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.

Performance

ESGV vs. VYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV) 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, ESGV achieves a 10.74% return, which is significantly lower than VYM's 12.47% return.

ESGV

• 1D: -0.88%
• 1M: 6.08%
• YTD: 10.74%
• 6M: 10.73%
• 1Y: 28.04%
• 3Y*: 22.27%
• 5Y*: 12.64%
• 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)

ESGV vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ESGV Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF	10.74%	16.48%	24.69%	30.79%	-24.04%	26.55%	25.69%	33.36%	-14.59%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	12.47%	15.42%	17.60%	6.57%	-0.43%	26.20%	1.15%	24.06%	-10.98%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGV and VYM is 0.66, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 21, 2018	0.77

The correlation between ESGV and VYM shifts across timeframes, from 0.66 (1 year) to 0.77 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ESGV vs. VYM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESGV	VYM
Technology	39.5%	17.7%
Communication Services	13.0%	3.5%
Financial Services	12.3%	20.5%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	6.7%
Healthcare	9.8%	12.2%
Industrials	4.5%	12.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	8.1%
Real Estate	2.8%	0.0%
Basic Materials	1.9%	3.5%
Utilities	0.2%	5.7%
Energy	0.1%	9.8%

Return for Risk

ESGV vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESGV

ESGV Risk / Return Rank: 58
ESGV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
ESGV Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
ESGV Omega Ratio Rank: 61
ESGV Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
ESGV Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

ESGV vs. VYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV) 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.

	ESGV	VYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	2.56	-0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	3.65	-0.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.46	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.43	3.93	-1.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.42	14.76	-4.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ESGV vs. VYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGV Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is comparable to the VYM Sharpe Ratio of 2.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGV 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

	ESGV	VYM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.11	2.56	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.83	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.72	0.51	+0.21

Drawdowns

ESGV vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGV drawdown since its inception was -33.66%, smaller than the maximum VYM drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGV and VYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESGV	VYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.66%	-56.98%	+23.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.60%	-6.69%	-4.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.41%	-14.46%	-5.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.81%	-15.84%	-12.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.21%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.88%	-0.43%	-0.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.43%	-7.19%	+0.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.70%	1.78%	+0.92%

Volatility

ESGV vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV) has a higher volatility of 3.37% compared to Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) at 2.77%. This indicates that ESGV'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.

Volatility by Period

	ESGV	VYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.37%	2.77%	+0.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.18%	7.67%	+2.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.35%	10.28%	+3.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.35%	13.96%	+4.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.58%	16.34%	+4.24%

ESGV vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESGV has a 0.09% 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

ESGV vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison

ESGV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.85%, less than VYM's 2.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESGV Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF	0.85%	0.91%	1.04%	1.16%	1.42%	0.95%	1.11%	1.27%	0.28%	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 ESGV and VYM in my portfolio?

ESGV and VYM have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ESGV or VYM?

ESGV has higher volatility (3.37%) compared to VYM (2.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGV dropped -33.66% vs VYM's -56.98%.

Which ETF is better, ESGV or VYM?

On 5-year performance, ESGV leads with 12.64% vs 11.48% for VYM. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VYM has been the lower-risk option at 2.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESGV or VYM?

Over the 5-year period, ESGV has performed better with a 12.64% return vs 11.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESGV or VYM?

VYM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for ESGV.

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

VYM has the higher dividend yield at 2.19%, compared with 0.85% for ESGV.

What is the main difference between ESGV and VYM?

ESGV is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while VYM is Dividend. ESGV tracks FTSE US All Cap Choice Index, while VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for ESGV and 0.04% for VYM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 2.11), 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.