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VYM vs. DEW
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VYM vs. DEW

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) and DEW (WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, while DEW is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree Global High Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VYM returned 11.98%/yr vs 9.72%/yr for DEW. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VYM charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for DEW.

Performance

VYM vs. DEW - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VYM achieves a 11.51% return, which is significantly lower than DEW's 12.97% return. Over the past 10 years, VYM has outperformed DEW with an annualized return of 11.98%, while DEW has yielded a comparatively lower 9.72% annualized return.

VYM

1D
-0.16%
1M
0.26%
YTD
11.51%
6M
10.83%
1Y
24.08%
3Y*
18.41%
5Y*
11.88%
10Y*
11.98%

DEW

1D
0.43%
1M
-0.07%
YTD
12.97%
6M
12.77%
1Y
25.61%
3Y*
19.27%
5Y*
11.57%
10Y*
9.72%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VYM vs. DEW - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VYM
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF		11.51%15.42%17.60%6.57%-0.43%26.20%1.15%24.06%-5.92%16.42%
DEW
WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund		12.97%22.39%11.58%9.39%-2.73%21.29%-7.32%20.45%-10.58%15.38%

Correlation

The correlation between VYM and DEW is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.82

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.86

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.90

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.89

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2006

0.83

The correlation between VYM and DEW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

VYM vs. DEW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VYM
DEW

Technology

20.3%
2.5%

Financial Services

19.9%
19.7%

Healthcare

12.2%
9.5%

Industrials

11.8%
4.4%

Energy

9.1%
14.7%

Consumer Defensive

8.0%
8.9%

Consumer Cyclical

6.6%
3.1%

Utilities

5.4%
10.8%

Basic Materials

3.4%
2.8%

Communication Services

3.4%
4.1%

Real Estate

0.0%
10.8%

Technology

VYM
20.3%
DEW
2.5%

Financial Services

VYM
19.9%
DEW
19.7%

Healthcare

VYM
12.2%
DEW
9.5%

Industrials

VYM
11.8%
DEW
4.4%

Energy

VYM
9.1%
DEW
14.7%

Consumer Defensive

VYM
8.0%
DEW
8.9%

Consumer Cyclical

VYM
6.6%
DEW
3.1%

Utilities

VYM
5.4%
DEW
10.8%

Basic Materials

VYM
3.4%
DEW
2.8%

Communication Services

VYM
3.4%
DEW
4.1%

Real Estate

VYM
0.0%
DEW
10.8%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF

WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund

Often compared with VYM:
VYM vs. SCHDVYM vs. VIGVYM vs. VYMIVYM vs. FDVVVYM vs. VOOVYM vs. VTIVYM vs. DGRO
Often compared with DEW:
DEW vs. DTDDEW vs. IDVODEW vs. SPYDEW vs. ^GSPCDEW vs. SCHDDEW vs. NTSXDEW vs. NOBL

Return for Risk

VYM vs. DEW — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VYM
VYM Risk / Return Rank: 7575
Overall Rank
VYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7676
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 7979
Sortino Ratio Rank
VYM Omega Ratio Rank: 7575
Omega Ratio Rank
VYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 7373
Calmar Ratio Rank
VYM Martin Ratio Rank: 7474
Martin Ratio Rank
DEW
DEW Risk / Return Rank: 8484
Overall Rank
DEW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8787
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DEW Sortino Ratio Rank: 8787
Sortino Ratio Rank
DEW Omega Ratio Rank: 8383
Omega Ratio Rank
DEW Calmar Ratio Rank: 8181
Calmar Ratio Rank
DEW Martin Ratio Rank: 8383
Martin Ratio Rank
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. DEW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) and WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund (DEW). 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.

VYMDEWDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.33
2.64

-0.31

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.33
3.68

-0.34

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.42

1.47

-0.04

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.61

4.06

-0.45

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.43

15.88

-2.45

VYM vs. DEW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VYM Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is comparable to the DEW Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VYM and DEW, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

VYM vs. DEW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VYM drawdown since its inception was -56.98%, smaller than the maximum DEW drawdown of -65.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VYM and DEW.

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Drawdown Indicators

VYMDEWDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-56.98%

-65.55%

+8.57%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-6.69%

-6.34%

-0.35%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.46%

-11.80%

-2.66%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-15.84%

-18.86%

+3.02%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-35.21%

-38.77%

+3.56%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.28%

-1.12%

-0.16%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.18%

-12.41%

+5.23%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.80%

1.62%

+0.18%

Volatility

VYM vs. DEW - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) has a higher volatility of 3.02% compared to WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund (DEW) at 2.77%. This indicates that VYM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DEW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VYMDEWDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.02%

2.77%

+0.25%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

7.64%

7.35%

+0.29%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

10.39%

9.76%

+0.63%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

13.93%

12.98%

+0.95%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.32%

15.42%

+0.90%

VYM vs. DEW - Expense Ratio Comparison

VYM has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than DEW's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

VYM vs. DEW - Dividend Comparison

VYM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.30%, less than DEW's 3.18% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
DEW
WisdomTree Global High Dividend Fund		3.18%3.71%4.02%4.55%3.82%3.55%4.10%3.74%4.17%3.18%3.42%4.32%
VYM
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF		2.30%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

VYM and DEW have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VYM has higher volatility (3.02%) compared to DEW (2.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VYM dropped -56.98% vs DEW's -65.55%.

On 10-year performance, VYM leads with 11.98% vs 9.72% for DEW. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, DEW has been the lower-risk option at 2.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VYM has performed better with a 11.98% return vs 9.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VYM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for DEW.

DEW has the higher dividend yield at 3.18%, compared with 2.30% for VYM.

VYM is categorized as Dividend, while DEW is Large Cap Value Equities. VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, while DEW tracks WisdomTree Global High Dividend Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VYM and 0.58% for DEW.

DEW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 2.33), 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.

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