VYM vs. COST

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) is Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, while COST (Costco Wholesale Corporation) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VYM returned 11.70%/yr vs 22.25%/yr for COST. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

VYM vs. COST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) and Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VYM achieves a 10.82% return, which is significantly lower than COST's 13.35% return. Over the past 10 years, VYM has underperformed COST with an annualized return of 11.70%, while COST has yielded a comparatively higher 22.25% annualized return.

VYM

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 1.71%
• YTD: 10.82%
• 6M: 10.58%
• 1Y: 24.30%
• 3Y*: 17.89%
• 5Y*: 11.33%
• 10Y*: 11.70%

COST

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: -3.37%
• YTD: 13.35%
• 6M: 10.14%
• 1Y: -3.42%
• 3Y*: 25.18%
• 5Y*: 22.05%
• 10Y*: 22.25%

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

VYM vs. COST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	10.82%	15.42%	17.60%	6.57%	-0.43%	26.20%	1.15%	24.06%	-5.92%	16.42%
COST Costco Wholesale Corporation	13.35%	-5.39%	39.62%	49.00%	-19.05%	51.82%	32.67%	45.70%	10.60%	22.37%

Correlation

The correlation between VYM and COST is 0.10, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.30
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 17, 2006	0.50

Over the past year, the correlation between VYM and COST has dropped to 0.10 - well below their long-term average of 0.50, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VYM vs. COST — Risk / Return Rank

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

VYM

VYM Risk / Return Rank: 80
VYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
VYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
VYM Omega Ratio Rank: 80
VYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
VYM Martin Ratio Rank: 78

COST

COST Risk / Return Rank: 32
COST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
COST Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
COST Omega Ratio Rank: 28
COST Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
COST Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

VYM vs. COST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) and Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST). 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.

	VYM	COST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	-0.18	+2.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.36	-0.13	+3.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	0.98	+0.44
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.65	-0.22	+3.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.64	-0.51	+14.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VYM vs. COST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VYM Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is higher than the COST Sharpe Ratio of -0.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VYM and COST, 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

	VYM	COST	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.36	-0.18	+2.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.98	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72	1.02	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.59	-0.08

Drawdowns

VYM vs. COST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VYM drawdown since its inception was -56.98%, which is greater than COST's maximum drawdown of -53.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VYM and COST.

Drawdown Indicators

	VYM	COST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.98%	-53.39%	-3.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.69%	-15.38%	+8.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.46%	-20.74%	+6.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.84%	-31.40%	+15.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.21%	-31.40%	-3.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.89%	-10.93%	+9.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.19%	-13.36%	+6.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.79%	7.15%	-5.36%

Volatility

VYM vs. COST - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is 2.82%, while Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) has a volatility of 7.71%. This indicates that VYM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than COST based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VYM	COST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.82%	7.71%	-4.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.73%	14.53%	-6.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.35%	18.79%	-8.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.98%	22.71%	-8.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.35%	21.95%	-5.60%

Dividends

VYM vs. COST - Dividend Comparison

VYM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.22%, more than COST's 0.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COST Costco Wholesale Corporation	0.55%	0.59%	0.49%	2.87%	0.76%	0.54%	3.38%	0.86%	1.08%	4.81%	1.09%	4.06%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	2.22%	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 VYM and COST in my portfolio?

VYM and COST have a correlation of 0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VYM or COST?

COST has higher volatility (7.71%) compared to VYM (2.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VYM dropped -56.98% vs COST's -53.39%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs -0.18), 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.