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HDV vs. VYM
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

HDV vs. VYM

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

HDV (iShares Core High Dividend ETF) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both Dividend funds - HDV tracks the Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus Index while VYM tracks the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, HDV returned 9.44%/yr vs 11.97%/yr for VYM. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HDV charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.

Performance

HDV vs. VYM - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HDV achieves a 13.95% return, which is significantly higher than VYM's 11.42% return. Over the past 10 years, HDV has underperformed VYM with an annualized return of 9.44%, while VYM has yielded a comparatively higher 11.97% annualized return.

HDV

1D
-0.11%
1M
-1.46%
YTD
13.95%
6M
13.56%
1Y
20.98%
3Y*
15.44%
5Y*
10.95%
10Y*
9.44%

VYM

1D
-0.09%
1M
0.17%
YTD
11.42%
6M
10.23%
1Y
23.03%
3Y*
18.38%
5Y*
11.73%
10Y*
11.97%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

HDV vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
HDV
iShares Core High Dividend ETF		13.95%11.90%14.16%1.72%7.05%19.45%-6.48%20.22%-3.01%13.40%
VYM
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF		11.42%15.42%17.60%6.57%-0.43%26.20%1.15%24.06%-5.92%16.42%

Correlation

The correlation between HDV and VYM is 0.60, 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

0.60

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.75

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.84

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.88

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2011

0.90

Over the past year, the correlation between HDV and VYM has dropped to 0.60 - well below their long-term average of 0.90, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

HDV vs. VYM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
HDV
VYM

Consumer Defensive

24.5%
8.0%

Healthcare

22.6%
12.2%

Energy

20.2%
9.1%

Consumer Cyclical

9.2%
6.6%

Utilities

8.1%
5.4%

Communication Services

5.7%
3.4%

Financial Services

4.7%
19.9%

Industrials

3.5%
11.8%

Basic Materials

0.8%
3.4%

Technology

0.2%
20.3%

Real Estate

-

0.0%

Consumer Defensive

HDV
24.5%
VYM
8.0%

Healthcare

HDV
22.6%
VYM
12.2%

Energy

HDV
20.2%
VYM
9.1%

Consumer Cyclical

HDV
9.2%
VYM
6.6%

Utilities

HDV
8.1%
VYM
5.4%

Communication Services

HDV
5.7%
VYM
3.4%

Financial Services

HDV
4.7%
VYM
19.9%

Industrials

HDV
3.5%
VYM
11.8%

Basic Materials

HDV
0.8%
VYM
3.4%

Technology

HDV
0.2%
VYM
20.3%

Real Estate

HDV

-

VYM
0.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Core High Dividend ETF

Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF

Often compared with HDV:
HDV vs. SCHDHDV vs. SPYDHDV vs. DGROHDV vs. DVYHDV vs. VIGHDV vs. SPYHDV vs. VOO
Often compared with VYM:
VYM vs. SCHDVYM vs. VIGVYM vs. VYMIVYM vs. FDVVVYM vs. VOOVYM vs. VTIVYM vs. DGRO

Return for Risk

HDV vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
HDV
HDV Risk / Return Rank: 7474
Overall Rank
HDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7474
Sharpe Ratio Rank
HDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 7878
Sortino Ratio Rank
HDV Omega Ratio Rank: 6868
Omega Ratio Rank
HDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 8383
Calmar Ratio Rank
HDV Martin Ratio Rank: 6868
Martin Ratio Rank
VYM
VYM Risk / Return Rank: 7777
Overall Rank
VYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7878
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 8080
Sortino Ratio Rank
VYM Omega Ratio Rank: 7777
Omega Ratio Rank
VYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 7575
Calmar Ratio Rank
VYM Martin Ratio Rank: 7575
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

HDV vs. VYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) 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.

HDVVYMDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.12
2.23

-0.11

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.11
3.20

-0.09

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.36

1.40

-0.04

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

4.07

3.45

+0.62

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.13

12.83

-1.69

HDV vs. VYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HDV Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is comparable to the VYM Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HDV 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.

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Drawdowns

HDV vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HDV drawdown since its inception was -37.04%, smaller than the maximum VYM drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HDV and VYM.

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Drawdown Indicators

HDVVYMDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-37.04%

-56.98%

+19.94%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-5.18%

-6.69%

+1.51%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-10.49%

-14.46%

+3.97%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-15.42%

-15.84%

+0.42%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-37.04%

-35.21%

-1.83%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.46%

-1.37%

-0.09%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.08%

-7.18%

+4.10%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.89%

1.80%

+0.09%

Volatility

HDV vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) has a higher volatility of 3.45% compared to Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) at 2.89%. This indicates that HDV'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

HDVVYMDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.45%

2.89%

+0.56%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

7.60%

7.64%

-0.04%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

9.93%

10.37%

-0.44%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

12.81%

13.93%

-1.12%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

15.73%

16.32%

-0.59%

HDV vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

HDV has a 0.08% 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

HDV vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison

HDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.90%, more than VYM's 2.30% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
HDV
iShares Core High Dividend ETF		2.90%3.22%3.67%3.82%3.56%3.47%4.07%3.27%3.67%3.27%3.28%3.92%
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

HDV and VYM have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

HDV has higher volatility (3.45%) compared to VYM (2.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HDV dropped -37.04% vs VYM's -56.98%.

On 10-year performance, VYM leads with 11.97% vs 9.44% for HDV. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VYM has been the lower-risk option at 2.89%. 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 11.97% return vs 9.44%. 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 0.08% for HDV.

HDV has the higher dividend yield at 2.90%, compared with 2.30% for VYM.

HDV tracks Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus Index, while VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for HDV and 0.04% for VYM.

VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.23 vs 2.12), 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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