VGWIX vs. VYM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VGWIX (Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund Investor Shares) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both funds - VGWIX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Vanguard, while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Over the past 5 years, VGWIX returned 4.93%/yr vs 11.48%/yr for VYM. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VGWIX charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.

Performance

VGWIX vs. VYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund Investor Shares (VGWIX) 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, VGWIX achieves a 4.05% return, which is significantly lower than VYM's 12.47% return.

VGWIX

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 1.17%
• YTD: 4.05%
• 6M: 4.76%
• 1Y: 11.12%
• 3Y*: 9.73%
• 5Y*: 4.93%
• 10Y*: —

VYM

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: 3.38%
• YTD: 12.47%
• 6M: 12.01%
• 1Y: 26.16%
• 3Y*: 18.88%
• 5Y*: 11.48%
• 10Y*: 11.90%

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

VGWIX vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGWIX Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund Investor Shares	4.05%	13.18%	6.02%	8.78%	-8.15%	6.41%	5.41%	13.82%	-4.38%	0.94%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	12.47%	15.42%	17.60%	6.57%	-0.43%	26.20%	1.15%	24.06%	-5.92%	4.44%

Correlation

The correlation between VGWIX and VYM is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 19, 2017	0.76

The correlation between VGWIX and VYM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

VGWIX vs. VYM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VGWIX	VYM
Financial Services	29.7%	20.5%
Healthcare	11.7%	12.2%
Utilities	9.1%	5.7%
Consumer Cyclical	8.7%	6.7%
Energy	8.6%	9.8%
Consumer Defensive	8.3%	8.1%
Technology	7.5%	17.7%
Industrials	6.5%	12.1%
Communication Services	5.6%	3.5%
Real Estate	3.0%	0.0%
Basic Materials	1.3%	3.5%

Return for Risk

VGWIX vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGWIX

VGWIX Risk / Return Rank: 52
VGWIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VGWIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
VGWIX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VGWIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
VGWIX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

VYM

VYM Risk / Return Rank: 77
VYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
VYM Omega Ratio Rank: 76
VYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
VYM Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

VGWIX vs. VYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	VGWIX	VYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.22	2.56	-0.34
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.21	3.65	-0.44
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.46	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	3.93	-1.48
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.26	14.76	-5.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGWIX vs. VYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGWIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.22, which is comparable to the VYM Sharpe Ratio of 2.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGWIX 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

	VGWIX	VYM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.22	2.56	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.83	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	0.51	+0.25

Drawdowns

VGWIX vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGWIX drawdown since its inception was -17.74%, smaller than the maximum VYM drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGWIX and VYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGWIX	VYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.74%	-56.98%	+39.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.59%	-6.69%	+2.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.35%	-14.46%	+9.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.95%	-15.84%	-0.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.21%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.73%	-0.43%	-0.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.69%	-7.19%	+4.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.21%	1.78%	-0.57%

Volatility

VGWIX vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund Investor Shares (VGWIX) is 1.57%, while Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) has a volatility of 2.77%. This indicates that VGWIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGWIX	VYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.57%	2.77%	-1.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.14%	7.67%	-3.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.05%	10.28%	-5.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.24%	13.96%	-7.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.80%	16.34%	-9.54%

VGWIX vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGWIX has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is higher than VYM's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGWIX vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison

VGWIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.80%, more than VYM's 2.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGWIX Vanguard Global Wellesley Income Fund Investor Shares	3.80%	3.88%	3.77%	3.03%	1.41%	2.27%	1.89%	2.17%	4.25%	0.29%	0.00%	0.00%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	2.19%	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 VGWIX and VYM in my portfolio?

VGWIX and VYM have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VGWIX or VYM?

VYM has higher volatility (2.77%) compared to VGWIX (1.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGWIX dropped -17.74% vs VYM's -56.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 2.22), 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.