VIGI vs. HIGH

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VIGI (Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF) and HIGH (Simplify Enhanced Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VIGI is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P Global Ex-U.S. Dividend Growers Index, while HIGH is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Simplify. VIGI is passively managed, while HIGH is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, VIGI returned 10.31%/yr vs 2.92%/yr for HIGH. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VIGI charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for HIGH.

Performance

VIGI vs. HIGH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIGI) and Simplify Enhanced Income ETF (HIGH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VIGI achieves a 3.99% return, which is significantly higher than HIGH's -0.56% return.

VIGI

• 1D: 1.22%
• 1M: 2.48%
• YTD: 3.99%
• 6M: 5.05%
• 1Y: 7.10%
• 3Y*: 10.31%
• 5Y*: 4.62%
• 10Y*: 7.85%

HIGH

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 1.16%
• YTD: -0.56%
• 6M: -1.44%
• 1Y: -3.55%
• 3Y*: 2.92%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VIGI vs. HIGH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
VIGI Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF	3.99%	16.88%	2.73%	16.30%	8.22%
HIGH Simplify Enhanced Income ETF	-0.56%	4.35%	1.52%	7.70%	0.27%

Correlation

The correlation between VIGI and HIGH is 0.50, 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	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 2022	0.31

The correlation between VIGI and HIGH shifts across timeframes, from 0.31 (all time) to 0.50 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VIGI vs. HIGH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VIGI	HIGH
Financial Services	29.0%	71.3%
Industrials	17.1%	-
Healthcare	14.6%	-
Technology	11.5%	-
Consumer Defensive	9.7%	-
Utilities	4.8%	-
Basic Materials	4.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	3.1%	-
Energy	2.8%	-
Communication Services	1.3%	-
Real Estate	1.3%	-

Return for Risk

VIGI vs. HIGH — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIGI

VIGI Risk / Return Rank: 18
VIGI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
VIGI Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
VIGI Omega Ratio Rank: 18
VIGI Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
VIGI Martin Ratio Rank: 21

HIGH

HIGH Risk / Return Rank: 5
HIGH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
HIGH Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
HIGH Omega Ratio Rank: 5
HIGH Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
HIGH Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

VIGI vs. HIGH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIGI) and Simplify Enhanced Income ETF (HIGH). 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.

	VIGI	HIGH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.55	-0.40	+0.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.86	-0.52	+1.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	0.93	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.67	-0.38	+1.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.36	-0.54	+2.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VIGI vs. HIGH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIGI Sharpe Ratio is 0.55, which is higher than the HIGH Sharpe Ratio of -0.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIGI and HIGH, 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

	VIGI	HIGH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.55	-0.40	+0.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.38	+0.16

Drawdowns

VIGI vs. HIGH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIGI drawdown since its inception was -31.01%, which is greater than HIGH's maximum drawdown of -9.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIGI and HIGH.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIGI	HIGH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.01%	-9.50%	-21.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.64%	-9.50%	-1.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.50%	-9.50%	-5.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.80%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.01%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.18%	-7.29%	+6.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.18%	-2.38%	-3.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.02%	6.54%	-3.52%

Volatility

VIGI vs. HIGH - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIGI) has a higher volatility of 3.15% compared to Simplify Enhanced Income ETF (HIGH) at 1.24%. This indicates that VIGI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HIGH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VIGI	HIGH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.15%	1.24%	+1.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.19%	3.51%	+6.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.99%	8.82%	+4.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.43%	9.56%	+4.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.88%	9.56%	+6.32%

VIGI vs. HIGH - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIGI has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than HIGH's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

VIGI vs. HIGH - Dividend Comparison

VIGI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.12%, less than HIGH's 7.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
HIGH Simplify Enhanced Income ETF	7.34%	7.71%	8.34%	9.40%	0.62%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VIGI Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF	2.12%	2.14%	1.93%	1.92%	2.06%	7.02%	1.29%	1.83%	1.99%	1.75%	1.05%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VIGI and HIGH in my portfolio?

VIGI and HIGH have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VIGI or HIGH?

VIGI has higher volatility (3.15%) compared to HIGH (1.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIGI dropped -31.01% vs HIGH's -9.50%.

Which ETF is better, VIGI or HIGH?

On 3-year performance, VIGI leads with 10.31% vs 2.92% for HIGH. On fees, VIGI is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, HIGH has been the lower-risk option at 1.24%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VIGI or HIGH?

Over the 3-year period, VIGI has performed better with a 10.31% return vs 2.92%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VIGI or HIGH?

VIGI is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.51% for HIGH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VIGI or HIGH?

HIGH has the higher dividend yield at 7.34%, compared with 2.12% for VIGI.

What is the main difference between VIGI and HIGH?

VIGI is categorized as Dividend, while HIGH is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for VIGI and 0.51% for HIGH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIGI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.55 vs -0.40), 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.