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VYM vs. DGRO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VYM vs. DGRO

Last updated Apr 9, 2026

VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds — VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, while DGRO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VYM returned 11.65%/yr vs 13.23%/yr for DGRO. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VYM charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

VYM vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) and iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO). 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 6.59% return, which is significantly higher than DGRO's 4.23% return. Over the past 10 years, VYM has underperformed DGRO with an annualized return of 11.65%, while DGRO has yielded a comparatively higher 13.23% annualized return.

VYM

1D
2.01%
1M
1.17%
YTD
6.59%
6M
9.03%
1Y
35.87%
3Y*
16.08%
5Y*
11.43%
10Y*
11.65%

DGRO

1D
2.07%
1M
0.71%
YTD
4.23%
6M
6.31%
1Y
33.28%
3Y*
15.41%
5Y*
10.30%
10Y*
13.23%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VYM vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VYM
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF		6.59%15.42%17.60%6.57%-0.43%26.20%1.15%24.06%-5.92%16.42%
DGRO
iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF		4.23%15.69%16.62%10.47%-7.91%26.64%9.50%29.87%-2.38%23.00%

Correlation

The correlation between VYM and DGRO is 0.97 — these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk. Consider pairing with a less correlated asset class instead.

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

0.97

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

0.97

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

0.97

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 13, 2014

0.97

VYM vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VYM has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than DGRO's 0.08% 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%.

DGRO
iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF
VYM
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF

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

iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF

Often compared with VYM:
VYM vs. SCHDVYM vs. VIGVYM vs. FDVVVYM vs. VYMIVYM vs. VOOVYM vs. VTIVYM vs. SPYD
Often compared with DGRO:
DGRO vs. SCHDDGRO vs. VIGDGRO vs. VOODGRO vs. DGRWDGRO vs. DIVODGRO vs. HDVDGRO vs. NOBL

Return for Risk

VYM vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VYM
VYM Risk / Return Rank: 8888
Overall Rank
VYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8383
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 8989
Sortino Ratio Rank
VYM Omega Ratio Rank: 8686
Omega Ratio Rank
VYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 9090
Calmar Ratio Rank
VYM Martin Ratio Rank: 9090
Martin Ratio Rank
DGRO
DGRO Risk / Return Rank: 8787
Overall Rank
DGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8181
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 8989
Sortino Ratio Rank
DGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 8585
Omega Ratio Rank
DGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 8989
Calmar Ratio Rank
DGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 9090
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. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) and iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO). 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.

VYMDGRODifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

2.70

2.61

+0.09

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

4.22

4.19

+0.03

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.56

1.55

+0.01

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

4.97

4.70

+0.26

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

18.45

18.04

+0.41

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. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VYM Sharpe Ratio is 2.70, which is comparable to the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VYM and DGRO, 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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Sharpe Ratios by Period

VYMDGRODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.70

2.61

+0.09

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.82

0.75

+0.07

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.72

0.80

-0.08

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.50

0.75

-0.25

Drawdowns

VYM vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VYM drawdown since its inception was -56.98%, which is greater than DGRO's maximum drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VYM and DGRO.

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Drawdown Indicators

VYMDGRODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-56.98%

-35.10%

-21.88%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-6.69%

-6.47%

-0.22%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-15.84%

-19.31%

+3.47%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-35.21%

-35.10%

-0.11%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.25%

-2.23%

-0.02%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.25%

-3.48%

-3.77%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.80%

1.69%

+0.11%

Volatility

VYM vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) and iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) have volatilities of 3.97% and 3.93%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VYMDGRODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.97%

3.93%

+0.04%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

8.19%

7.47%

+0.72%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.46%

12.94%

+0.52%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

13.99%

13.86%

+0.13%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.33%

16.63%

-0.30%

Dividends

VYM vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

VYM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.31%, more than DGRO's 2.04% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VYM
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF		2.31%2.44%2.74%3.12%3.01%2.76%3.18%3.03%3.40%2.80%2.91%3.22%
DGRO
iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF		2.04%2.09%2.26%2.45%2.34%1.93%2.30%2.21%2.44%2.03%2.27%2.52%