VEIPX vs. VYM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VEIPX (Vanguard Equity Income Fund Investor Shares) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both funds - VEIPX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Over the past 10 years, VEIPX returned 11.77%/yr vs 11.94%/yr for VYM. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VEIPX charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.

Performance

VEIPX vs. VYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Equity Income Fund Investor Shares (VEIPX) 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, VEIPX achieves a 8.84% return, which is significantly lower than VYM's 12.96% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VEIPX having a 11.77% annualized return and VYM not far ahead at 11.94%.

VEIPX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 1.18%
• YTD: 8.84%
• 6M: 10.16%
• 1Y: 23.34%
• 3Y*: 17.21%
• 5Y*: 10.91%
• 10Y*: 11.77%

VYM

• 1D: 1.24%
• 1M: 2.98%
• YTD: 12.96%
• 6M: 13.69%
• 1Y: 27.70%
• 3Y*: 19.05%
• 5Y*: 11.67%
• 10Y*: 11.94%

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

VEIPX vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VEIPX Vanguard Equity Income Fund Investor Shares	8.84%	17.14%	14.80%	7.66%	-0.16%	25.41%	2.97%	25.21%	-5.75%	17.60%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	12.96%	15.42%	17.60%	6.57%	-0.43%	26.20%	1.15%	24.06%	-5.92%	16.42%

Correlation

The correlation between VEIPX and VYM is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 17, 2006	0.98

The correlation between VEIPX and VYM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

VEIPX vs. VYM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEIPX	VYM
Financial Services	20.5%	20.5%
Healthcare	14.8%	12.2%
Technology	13.0%	17.7%
Industrials	10.6%	12.1%
Consumer Defensive	9.4%	8.1%
Energy	8.3%	9.8%
Utilities	7.0%	5.7%
Consumer Cyclical	6.0%	6.7%
Basic Materials	3.4%	3.5%
Communication Services	2.9%	3.5%
Real Estate	1.9%	0.0%

Return for Risk

VEIPX vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEIPX

VEIPX Risk / Return Rank: 63
VEIPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VEIPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VEIPX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
VEIPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
VEIPX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

VYM

VYM Risk / Return Rank: 82
VYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
VYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
VYM Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VYM Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

VEIPX vs. VYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Equity Income Fund Investor Shares (VEIPX) 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.

	VEIPX	VYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.32	2.71	-0.39
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.29	3.84	-0.55
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.49	-0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.33	4.20	-0.87
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.48	15.80	-3.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VEIPX vs. VYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEIPX Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is comparable to the VYM Sharpe Ratio of 2.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEIPX 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

	VEIPX	VYM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.32	2.71	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.84	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72	0.73	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.51	+0.14

Drawdowns

VEIPX vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEIPX drawdown since its inception was -54.12%, smaller than the maximum VYM drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEIPX and VYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEIPX	VYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.12%	-56.98%	+2.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.15%	-6.69%	-0.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.39%	-14.46%	+1.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.16%	-15.84%	+0.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.26%	-35.21%	-0.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	0.00%	-0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.50%	-7.20%	+1.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.91%	1.78%	+0.13%

Volatility

VEIPX vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Equity Income Fund Investor Shares (VEIPX) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) have volatilities of 2.76% and 2.88%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEIPX	VYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.76%	2.88%	-0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.63%	7.73%	-0.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.24%	10.27%	-0.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.92%	13.96%	-0.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.30%	16.34%	-0.04%

VEIPX vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEIPX has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is higher than VYM's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEIPX vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison

VEIPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.11%, more than VYM's 2.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VEIPX Vanguard Equity Income Fund Investor Shares	10.11%	10.94%	9.74%	7.87%	8.69%	7.62%	2.77%	4.36%	10.87%	2.98%	3.78%	6.39%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	2.18%	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 VEIPX and VYM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, VEIPX and VYM move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VEIPX or VYM?

VYM has higher volatility (2.88%) compared to VEIPX (2.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEIPX dropped -54.12% vs VYM's -56.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.71 vs 2.32), 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.