VPL vs. VYM

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VPL (Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VPL is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index, while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VPL returned 9.52%/yr vs 11.71%/yr for VYM. Their 0.72 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VPL charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.

Performance

VPL vs. VYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) 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, VPL achieves a 20.61% return, which is significantly higher than VYM's 14.21% return. Over the past 10 years, VPL has underperformed VYM with an annualized return of 9.52%, while VYM has yielded a comparatively higher 11.71% annualized return.

VPL

• 1D: -1.01%
• 1M: -2.62%
• 6M: 10.34%
• YTD: 20.61%
• 1Y: 37.66%
• 3Y*: 18.88%
• 5Y*: 9.33%
• 10Y*: 9.52%
• ALL TIME*: 6.48%

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)
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	$40.49M	$47.90M	$62.42M
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	$195.34M	$198.02M	$200.78M

VPL vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	20.61%	32.66%	1.68%	15.58%	-15.20%	1.10%	16.65%	18.16%	-14.40%	28.85%
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 VPL and VYM is 0.52, 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.	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.64
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2006	0.72

The correlation between VPL and VYM shifts across timeframes, from 0.52 (1 year) to 0.72 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VPL vs. VYM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VPL	VYM
Technology	31.6%	17.8%
Financial Services	17.8%	21.0%
Industrials	17.4%	12.6%
Consumer Cyclical	8.8%	6.8%
Basic Materials	6.5%	3.3%
Communication Services	4.4%	3.0%
Healthcare	4.3%	13.2%
Real Estate	3.6%	0.0%
Consumer Defensive	3.2%	8.1%
Utilities	1.3%	5.7%
Energy	1.1%	8.6%

Return for Risk

VPL vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VPL

VPL Risk / Return Rank: 72
VPL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VPL Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VPL Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VPL Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VPL Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

VPL vs. VYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) 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.

	VPL	VYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.59	2.34	-0.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.16	3.35	-1.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.43	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.84	3.56	-0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.65	13.40	-4.75

VPL vs. VYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VPL Sharpe Ratio is 1.59, which is lower than the VYM Sharpe Ratio of 2.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VPL 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

VPL vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPL drawdown since its inception was -55.49%, roughly equal to the maximum VYM drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPL and VYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VPL	VYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.49%	-56.98%	+1.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.33%	-6.69%	-6.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.35%	-14.46%	-1.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.09%	-15.84%	-15.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.90%	-35.21%	+1.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.69%	-1.15%	-8.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.59%	-7.14%	-4.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.37%	1.78%	+2.59%

Volatility

VPL vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) has a higher volatility of 9.21% compared to Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) at 2.46%. This indicates that VPL'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

	VPL	VYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.21%	2.46%	+6.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.74%	7.42%	+14.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.77%	10.29%	+13.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.34%	13.87%	+4.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.73%	16.29%	+1.44%

VPL vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VPL has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than VYM's 0.04% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VPL vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison

VPL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.77%, more than VYM's 2.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	2.77%	4.01%	3.15%	3.12%	2.75%	3.19%	1.81%	2.84%	3.06%	2.57%	2.65%	2.43%
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 VPL and VYM in my portfolio?

VPL and VYM have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VPL or VYM?

VPL has higher volatility (9.21%) compared to VYM (2.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPL dropped -55.49% vs VYM's -56.98%.

Which ETF is better, VPL or VYM?

On 10-year performance, VYM leads with 11.71% vs 9.52% for VPL. 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, VPL or VYM?

Over the 10-year period, VYM has performed better with a 11.71% return vs 9.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VPL or VYM?

VYM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for VPL.

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

VPL has the higher dividend yield at 2.77%, compared with 2.24% for VYM.

What is the main difference between VPL and VYM?

VPL is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while VYM is Dividend. VPL tracks FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index, while VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for VPL and 0.04% for VYM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 1.59), 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.