FDIV vs. VYMI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FDIV (MarketDesk Focused U.S. Dividend ETF) and VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF) are both Dividend funds. FDIV is actively managed, while VYMI is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FDIV returned -2.13%/yr vs 10.49%/yr for VYMI. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FDIV charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VYMI.

Performance

FDIV vs. VYMI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MarketDesk Focused U.S. Dividend ETF (FDIV) and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDIV achieves a 0.72% return, which is significantly lower than VYMI's 11.31% return. Over the past 10 years, FDIV has underperformed VYMI with an annualized return of -2.13%, while VYMI has yielded a comparatively higher 10.49% annualized return.

FDIV

• 1D: -0.85%
• 1M: -0.84%
• YTD: 0.72%
• 6M: 1.52%
• 1Y: 7.68%
• 3Y*: -12.10%
• 5Y*: -8.67%
• 10Y*: -2.13%

VYMI

• 1D: -1.01%
• 1M: 2.05%
• YTD: 11.31%
• 6M: 14.77%
• 1Y: 30.23%
• 3Y*: 21.88%
• 5Y*: 11.95%
• 10Y*: 10.49%

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

FDIV vs. VYMI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FDIV MarketDesk Focused U.S. Dividend ETF	0.72%	2.95%	-37.35%	6.78%	-9.97%	10.20%	-2.84%	15.78%	-5.04%	6.19%
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	11.31%	38.05%	7.06%	17.07%	-7.02%	15.39%	-1.11%	18.43%	-12.65%	22.36%

Correlation

The correlation between FDIV and VYMI is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2016	0.51

The correlation between FDIV and VYMI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.57 - a consistent structural relationship.

FDIV vs. VYMI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FDIV	VYMI
Industrials	24.9%	6.6%
Financial Services	20.0%	41.9%
Healthcare	16.2%	6.6%
Consumer Cyclical	11.0%	6.5%
Consumer Defensive	9.0%	7.0%
Technology	8.9%	4.3%
Utilities	4.2%	5.6%
Basic Materials	4.0%	6.8%
Energy	3.0%	9.5%
Communication Services	3.0%	4.0%
Real Estate	-	1.3%

Return for Risk

FDIV vs. VYMI — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDIV

FDIV Risk / Return Rank: 19
FDIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
FDIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
FDIV Omega Ratio Rank: 17
FDIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
FDIV Martin Ratio Rank: 21

VYMI

VYMI Risk / Return Rank: 66
VYMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VYMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VYMI Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VYMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VYMI Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

FDIV vs. VYMI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MarketDesk Focused U.S. Dividend ETF (FDIV) and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI). 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.

	FDIV	VYMI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.61	2.35	-1.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.02	3.20	-2.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.43	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.96	2.99	-2.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.56	11.80	-9.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FDIV vs. VYMI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDIV Sharpe Ratio is 0.61, which is lower than the VYMI Sharpe Ratio of 2.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDIV and VYMI, 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

	FDIV	VYMI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.61	2.35	-1.74
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.42	0.81	-1.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.12	0.62	-0.75
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.08	0.65	-0.73

Drawdowns

FDIV vs. VYMI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDIV drawdown since its inception was -47.90%, which is greater than VYMI's maximum drawdown of -40.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDIV and VYMI.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDIV	VYMI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.90%	-40.00%	-7.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.01%	-10.14%	+2.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-45.64%	-12.84%	-32.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.90%	-24.05%	-23.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-47.90%	-40.00%	-7.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-38.05%	-1.40%	-36.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.15%	-6.31%	-4.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.01%	2.57%	+0.44%

Volatility

FDIV vs. VYMI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MarketDesk Focused U.S. Dividend ETF (FDIV) is 2.99%, while Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) has a volatility of 4.04%. This indicates that FDIV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VYMI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDIV	VYMI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.99%	4.04%	-1.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.57%	10.73%	-2.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.78%	12.94%	-0.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.81%	14.84%	+5.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.54%	16.87%	+0.67%

FDIV vs. VYMI - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDIV has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VYMI's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDIV vs. VYMI - Dividend Comparison

FDIV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.89%, less than VYMI's 3.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDIV MarketDesk Focused U.S. Dividend ETF	2.89%	2.95%	4.12%	4.63%	3.81%	3.79%	4.17%	3.93%	5.13%	3.81%	3.84%	4.13%
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	3.44%	3.68%	4.84%	4.58%	4.70%	4.30%	3.22%	4.20%	4.29%	3.21%	2.39%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FDIV and VYMI in my portfolio?

FDIV and VYMI have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FDIV or VYMI?

VYMI has higher volatility (4.04%) compared to FDIV (2.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDIV dropped -47.90% vs VYMI's -40.00%.

Which ETF is better, FDIV or VYMI?

On 10-year performance, VYMI leads with 10.49% vs -2.13% for FDIV. On fees, VYMI is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, FDIV has been the lower-risk option at 2.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FDIV or VYMI?

Over the 10-year period, VYMI has performed better with a 10.49% return vs -2.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FDIV or VYMI?

VYMI is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for FDIV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FDIV or VYMI?

VYMI has the higher dividend yield at 3.44%, compared with 2.89% for FDIV.

What is the main difference between FDIV and VYMI?

They also come from different issuers: MarketDesk and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for FDIV and 0.07% for VYMI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYMI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 0.61), 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.