OUSA vs. VYM

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

OUSA (OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - OUSA is a Quality Factor fund tracking the O'Shares US Quality Dividend Index, while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, OUSA returned 10.36%/yr vs 11.71%/yr for VYM. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. OUSA charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.

Performance

OUSA vs. VYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF (OUSA) 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, OUSA achieves a 6.53% return, which is significantly lower than VYM's 14.21% return. Over the past 10 years, OUSA has underperformed VYM with an annualized return of 10.36%, while VYM has yielded a comparatively higher 11.71% annualized return.

OUSA

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 1.87%
• 6M: 4.63%
• YTD: 6.53%
• 1Y: 15.60%
• 3Y*: 12.64%
• 5Y*: 8.87%
• 10Y*: 10.36%
• ALL TIME*: 10.68%

VYM

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.56%
• 6M: 9.31%
• YTD: 14.21%
• 1Y: 24.90%
• 3Y*: 16.96%
• 5Y*: 12.20%
• 10Y*: 11.71%
• ALL TIME*: 9.38%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
OUSA OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF	$914.72K	$1.31M	$1.45M
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	$195.34M	$198.02M	$200.78M

OUSA vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
OUSA OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF	6.53%	10.23%	17.09%	13.44%	-9.33%	23.75%	6.96%	25.03%	-3.11%	18.81%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	14.21%	15.42%	17.60%	6.57%	-0.43%	26.20%	1.15%	24.06%	-5.92%	16.42%

Correlation

The correlation between OUSA and VYM is 0.71, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 14, 2015	0.87

The correlation between OUSA and VYM shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (1 year) to 0.87 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

OUSA vs. VYM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	OUSA	VYM
Technology	23.7%	17.8%
Financial Services	18.6%	21.0%
Healthcare	15.1%	13.2%
Consumer Cyclical	13.1%	6.8%
Industrials	11.9%	12.6%
Communication Services	10.3%	3.0%
Consumer Defensive	7.4%	8.1%
Basic Materials	-	3.3%
Energy	-	8.6%
Real Estate	-	0.0%
Utilities	-	5.7%

Return for Risk

OUSA vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

OUSA

OUSA Risk / Return Rank: 59
OUSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
OUSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
OUSA Omega Ratio Rank: 60
OUSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
OUSA Martin Ratio Rank: 53

VYM

VYM Risk / Return Rank: 90
VYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
VYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
VYM Omega Ratio Rank: 91
VYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
VYM Martin Ratio Rank: 88

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

OUSA vs. VYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF (OUSA) 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.

	OUSA	VYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.46	2.34	-0.88
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.22	3.35	-1.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.43	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.78	3.56	-1.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.23	13.40	-7.17

OUSA vs. VYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OUSA Sharpe Ratio is 1.46, which is lower than the VYM Sharpe Ratio of 2.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OUSA 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.

Drawdowns

OUSA vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OUSA drawdown since its inception was -33.12%, smaller than the maximum VYM drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OUSA and VYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	OUSA	VYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.12%	-56.98%	+23.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.36%	-6.69%	-1.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.14%	-14.46%	+1.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.54%	-15.84%	-3.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.12%	-35.21%	+2.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.75%	-1.15%	+0.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.50%	-7.14%	+3.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.39%	1.78%	+0.61%

Volatility

OUSA vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison

OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF (OUSA) has a higher volatility of 4.00% compared to Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) at 2.46%. This indicates that OUSA'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

	OUSA	VYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.00%	2.46%	+1.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.11%	7.42%	+0.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.27%	10.29%	-0.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.38%	13.87%	-0.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.19%	16.29%	-1.10%

OUSA vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

OUSA has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than VYM's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

OUSA vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison

OUSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.36%, less than VYM's 2.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
OUSA OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF	1.36%	1.39%	1.50%	1.81%	1.92%	1.56%	2.03%	2.31%	3.06%	2.15%	2.32%	1.17%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	2.24%	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 OUSA and VYM in my portfolio?

OUSA and VYM have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, OUSA or VYM?

OUSA has higher volatility (4.00%) compared to VYM (2.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OUSA dropped -33.12% vs VYM's -56.98%.

Which ETF is better, OUSA or VYM?

On 10-year performance, VYM leads with 11.71% vs 10.36% for OUSA. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VYM has been the lower-risk option at 2.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, OUSA or VYM?

Over the 10-year period, VYM has performed better with a 11.71% return vs 10.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, OUSA or VYM?

VYM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for OUSA.

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

VYM has the higher dividend yield at 2.24%, compared with 1.36% for OUSA.

What is the main difference between OUSA and VYM?

OUSA is categorized as Quality Factor, while VYM is Dividend. OUSA tracks O'Shares US Quality Dividend Index, while VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: O'Shares Investments and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for OUSA and 0.04% for VYM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 1.46), 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.