VT vs. VYMI

Last updated Jul 31, 2026

VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) and VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VT is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap Index, while VYMI is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VT returned 12.29%/yr vs 11.06%/yr for VYMI. Their correlation of 0.86 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VT charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VYMI.

Performance

VT vs. VYMI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VT achieves a 10.86% return, which is significantly lower than VYMI's 18.01% return. Over the past 10 years, VT has outperformed VYMI with an annualized return of 12.29%, while VYMI has yielded a comparatively lower 11.06% annualized return.

VT

• 1D: 2.12%
• 1M: -0.96%
• 6M: 6.58%
• YTD: 10.86%
• 1Y: 21.10%
• 3Y*: 17.85%
• 5Y*: 10.52%
• 10Y*: 12.29%
• ALL TIME*: 8.80%

VYMI

• 1D: 2.08%
• 1M: 6.00%
• 6M: 10.21%
• YTD: 18.01%
• 1Y: 34.27%
• 3Y*: 21.66%
• 5Y*: 14.14%
• 10Y*: 11.06%
• ALL TIME*: 11.40%

*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)
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	$412.83M	$369.31M	$481.45M
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	$76.39M	$82.44M	$92.73M

VT vs. VYMI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	10.86%	22.43%	16.49%	22.02%	-18.00%	18.27%	16.59%	26.81%	-9.76%	24.50%
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	18.01%	38.05%	7.06%	17.07%	-7.02%	15.39%	-1.11%	18.43%	-12.65%	22.36%

Correlation

The correlation between VT and VYMI is 0.80, 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.	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 2, 2016	0.86

The correlation between VT and VYMI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

VT vs. VYMI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VT	VYMI
Technology	31.2%	5.3%
Financial Services	15.7%	42.4%
Industrials	11.7%	6.1%
Consumer Cyclical	9.0%	6.0%
Healthcare	8.3%	6.5%
Communication Services	7.4%	3.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	6.7%
Basic Materials	3.8%	6.5%
Energy	3.6%	7.9%
Utilities	2.5%	5.2%
Real Estate	2.3%	1.1%

Return for Risk

VT vs. VYMI — Risk / Return Rank

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

VT

VT Risk / Return Rank: 70
VT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VT Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VT Omega Ratio Rank: 68
VT Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VT Martin Ratio Rank: 76

VYMI

VYMI Risk / Return Rank: 92
VYMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
VYMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
VYMI Omega Ratio Rank: 93
VYMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
VYMI Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

VT vs. VYMI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI). 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.

	VT	VYMI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.52	2.60	-1.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.14	3.55	-1.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.47	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.19	3.40	-1.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.13	13.41	-4.28

VT vs. VYMI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VT Sharpe Ratio is 1.52, which is lower than the VYMI Sharpe Ratio of 2.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VT and VYMI, 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

VT vs. VYMI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VT drawdown since its inception was -50.27%, which is greater than VYMI's maximum drawdown of -40.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VT and VYMI.

Drawdown Indicators

	VT	VYMI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.27%	-40.00%	-10.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.67%	-10.14%	+0.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.51%	-12.84%	-3.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.38%	-24.05%	-2.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.24%	-40.00%	+5.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.10%	0.00%	-2.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.97%	-6.23%	-0.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.32%	2.56%	-0.24%

Volatility

VT vs. VYMI - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) has a higher volatility of 4.01% compared to Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) at 3.59%. This indicates that VT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VYMI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VT	VYMI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.01%	3.59%	+0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.68%	11.41%	+0.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.97%	13.25%	+0.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.22%	14.86%	+1.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.18%	16.55%	+0.63%

VT vs. VYMI - Expense Ratio Comparison

VT has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than VYMI's 0.07% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VT vs. VYMI - Dividend Comparison

VT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.60%, less than VYMI's 3.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	1.60%	1.82%	1.95%	2.08%	2.20%	1.82%	1.66%	2.32%	2.53%	2.11%	2.39%	2.45%
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	3.46%	3.68%	4.84%	4.58%	4.70%	4.30%	3.22%	4.20%	4.29%	3.21%	2.39%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VT and VYMI in my portfolio?

VT and VYMI have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VT or VYMI?

VT has higher volatility (4.01%) compared to VYMI (3.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VT dropped -50.27% vs VYMI's -40.00%.

Which ETF is better, VT or VYMI?

On 10-year performance, VT leads with 12.29% vs 11.06% for VYMI. On fees, VT is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, VYMI has been the lower-risk option at 3.59%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VT or VYMI?

Over the 10-year period, VT has performed better with a 12.29% return vs 11.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VT or VYMI?

VT is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for VYMI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VT or VYMI?

VYMI has the higher dividend yield at 3.46%, compared with 1.60% for VT.

What is the main difference between VT and VYMI?

VT is categorized as Global Equities, while VYMI is Dividend. VT tracks FTSE Global All Cap Index, while VYMI tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VT and 0.07% for VYMI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYMI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.60 vs 1.52), 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.