RDV.AX vs. VHY.AX

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

RDV.AX (Russell Investments High Dividend Australian Shares ETF) and VHY.AX (Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF) are both Dividend funds - RDV.AX tracks the Russell Investments High Dividend Australian Shares Index while VHY.AX tracks the FTSE Australia High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RDV.AX returned 7.62%/yr vs 9.28%/yr for VHY.AX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure.

Performance

RDV.AX vs. VHY.AX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a A$10,000 investment in Russell Investments High Dividend Australian Shares ETF (RDV.AX) and Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (VHY.AX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RDV.AX achieves a 4.38% return, which is significantly lower than VHY.AX's 8.22% return. Over the past 10 years, RDV.AX has underperformed VHY.AX with an annualized return of 7.62%, while VHY.AX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.28% annualized return.

RDV.AX

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 0.57%
• 6M: 4.47%
• YTD: 4.38%
• 1Y: 6.90%
• 3Y*: 11.54%
• 5Y*: 8.31%
• 10Y*: 7.62%

VHY.AX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: -0.91%
• 6M: 9.04%
• YTD: 8.22%
• 1Y: 15.11%
• 3Y*: 12.91%
• 5Y*: 9.87%
• 10Y*: 9.28%

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

RDV.AX vs. VHY.AX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RDV.AX Russell Investments High Dividend Australian Shares ETF	4.38%	12.55%	12.31%	8.23%	2.30%	15.36%	-5.86%	19.92%	-9.14%	9.86%
VHY.AX Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF	8.22%	14.77%	9.04%	9.83%	7.71%	16.73%	1.71%	20.44%	-8.52%	7.84%

Correlation

The correlation between RDV.AX and VHY.AX is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2011	0.84

The correlation between RDV.AX and VHY.AX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RDV.AX vs. VHY.AX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RDV.AX

RDV.AX Risk / Return Rank: 23
RDV.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
RDV.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
RDV.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
RDV.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
RDV.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

VHY.AX

VHY.AX Risk / Return Rank: 58
VHY.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
VHY.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VHY.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 52
VHY.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
VHY.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

RDV.AX vs. VHY.AX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Russell Investments High Dividend Australian Shares ETF (RDV.AX) and Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (VHY.AX). 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.

	RDV.AX	VHY.AX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.71	1.49	-0.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.03	2.15	-1.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.27	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.16	3.18	-2.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.19	7.34	-5.15

RDV.AX vs. VHY.AX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RDV.AX Sharpe Ratio is 0.71, which is lower than the VHY.AX Sharpe Ratio of 1.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RDV.AX and VHY.AX, 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

RDV.AX vs. VHY.AX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RDV.AX drawdown since its inception was -40.60%, which is greater than VHY.AX's maximum drawdown of -35.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RDV.AX and VHY.AX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RDV.AX	VHY.AX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.60%	-35.54%	-5.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.38%	-4.84%	-1.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.09%	-11.68%	+1.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.71%	-14.41%	-0.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.60%	-35.54%	-5.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.31%	-1.80%	+0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.16%	-4.87%	-0.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.45%	2.14%	+1.31%

Volatility

RDV.AX vs. VHY.AX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Russell Investments High Dividend Australian Shares ETF (RDV.AX) is 2.10%, while Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (VHY.AX) has a volatility of 2.23%. This indicates that RDV.AX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VHY.AX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RDV.AX	VHY.AX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.10%	2.23%	-0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.19%	8.14%	+0.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.44%	10.37%	+0.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.19%	12.70%	-0.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.78%	14.30%	+0.48%

Dividends

RDV.AX vs. VHY.AX - Dividend Comparison

RDV.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.03%, more than VHY.AX's 2.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RDV.AX Russell Investments High Dividend Australian Shares ETF	4.03%	4.60%	4.02%	4.90%	6.65%	4.12%	3.21%	6.54%	7.41%	5.41%	4.44%	5.93%
VHY.AX Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF	2.76%	8.37%	2.92%	3.73%	5.02%	4.84%	3.54%	5.35%	7.81%	5.69%	3.84%	6.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RDV.AX and VHY.AX in my portfolio?

RDV.AX and VHY.AX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

What is the main difference between RDV.AX and VHY.AX?

RDV.AX tracks Russell Investments High Dividend Australian Shares Index, while VHY.AX tracks FTSE Australia High Dividend Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: Russell and Vanguard.