VTHR vs. VYM

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VTHR (Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTHR is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 3000 Index, while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTHR returned 14.55%/yr vs 11.71%/yr for VYM. Their correlation of 0.83 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VTHR charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.

Performance

VTHR vs. VYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) 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, VTHR achieves a 10.36% return, which is significantly lower than VYM's 14.21% return. Over the past 10 years, VTHR has outperformed VYM with an annualized return of 14.55%, while VYM has yielded a comparatively lower 11.71% annualized return.

VTHR

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: -0.19%
• 6M: 8.65%
• YTD: 10.36%
• 1Y: 21.54%
• 3Y*: 18.81%
• 5Y*: 11.74%
• 10Y*: 14.55%
• ALL TIME*: 14.17%

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)
VTHR Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF	$9.26M	$9.46M	$10.85M
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	$195.34M	$198.02M	$200.78M

VTHR vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTHR Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF	10.36%	16.99%	23.57%	25.92%	-19.20%	25.49%	20.93%	30.82%	-5.65%	21.06%
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 VTHR and VYM is 0.67, 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.	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2010	0.83

The correlation between VTHR and VYM shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (1 year) to 0.83 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VTHR vs. VYM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTHR	VYM
Technology	35.7%	17.8%
Financial Services	11.9%	21.0%
Industrials	10.0%	12.6%
Consumer Cyclical	9.6%	6.8%
Healthcare	9.6%	13.2%
Communication Services	9.3%	3.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	8.1%
Energy	3.2%	8.6%
Real Estate	2.3%	0.0%
Utilities	2.2%	5.7%
Basic Materials	2.0%	3.3%

Return for Risk

VTHR vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTHR

VTHR Risk / Return Rank: 66
VTHR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
VTHR Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VTHR Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VTHR Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VTHR Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

VTHR vs. VYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) 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.

	VTHR	VYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	2.34	-0.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.11	3.35	-1.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.43	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.21	3.56	-1.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.57	13.40	-3.83

VTHR vs. VYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTHR Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is lower than the VYM Sharpe Ratio of 2.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTHR 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

VTHR vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTHR drawdown since its inception was -34.61%, smaller than the maximum VYM drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTHR and VYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTHR	VYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.61%	-56.98%	+22.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.91%	-6.69%	-2.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	-14.46%	-4.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.06%	-15.84%	-9.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.61%	-35.21%	+0.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.21%	-1.15%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.02%	-7.14%	+3.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	1.78%	+0.28%

Volatility

VTHR vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) has a higher volatility of 3.40% compared to Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) at 2.46%. This indicates that VTHR'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

	VTHR	VYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.40%	2.46%	+0.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.27%	7.42%	+2.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.11%	10.29%	+2.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.39%	13.87%	+3.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.84%	16.29%	+1.55%

VTHR vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTHR has a 0.06% 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

VTHR vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison

VTHR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than VYM's 2.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VTHR Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF	1.03%	1.08%	1.19%	1.47%	1.52%	1.16%	1.37%	1.65%	1.89%	1.63%	1.82%	1.84%
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 VTHR and VYM in my portfolio?

VTHR and VYM have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTHR or VYM?

VTHR has higher volatility (3.40%) compared to VYM (2.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTHR dropped -34.61% vs VYM's -56.98%.

Which ETF is better, VTHR or VYM?

On 10-year performance, VTHR leads with 14.55% vs 11.71% for VYM. 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, VTHR or VYM?

Over the 10-year period, VTHR has performed better with a 14.55% return vs 11.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTHR or VYM?

VYM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.06% for VTHR.

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

VYM has the higher dividend yield at 2.24%, compared with 1.03% for VTHR.

What is the main difference between VTHR and VYM?

VTHR is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while VYM is Dividend. VTHR tracks Russell 3000 Index, while VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VTHR and 0.04% for VYM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 1.50), 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.