VYM vs. DIVB
VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) and DIVB (iShares Core Dividend ETF) are both Dividend funds - VYM tracks the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index while DIVB tracks the Morningstar US Dividend and Buyback Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VYM returned 11.88%/yr vs 12.39%/yr for DIVB. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VYM charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for DIVB.
Performance
VYM vs. DIVB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VYM achieves a 11.51% return, which is significantly lower than DIVB's 17.14% 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%
DIVB
- 1D
- 1.02%
- 1M
- 1.64%
- YTD
- 17.14%
- 6M
- 16.48%
- 1Y
- 27.72%
- 3Y*
- 21.75%
- 5Y*
- 12.39%
- 10Y*
- —
VYM vs. DIVB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 11.51% | 15.42% | 17.60% | 6.57% | -0.43% | 26.20% | 1.15% | 24.06% | -5.92% | 4.07% |
DIVB iShares Core Dividend ETF | 17.14% | 15.09% | 18.59% | 13.27% | -10.51% | 31.29% | 10.78% | 32.72% | -8.16% | 5.95% |
Correlation
The correlation between VYM and DIVB is 0.90, 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 | 0.90 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.94 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2017 | 0.92 |
The correlation between VYM and DIVB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VYM vs. DIVB — Risk / Return Rank
VYM
DIVB
VYM vs. DIVB - 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 ETF (DIVB). 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.
| VYM | DIVB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.01 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.42 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.61 | 4.08 | -0.47 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.43 | 13.64 | -0.21 |
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Drawdowns
VYM vs. DIVB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VYM drawdown since its inception was -56.98%, which is greater than DIVB's maximum drawdown of -36.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VYM and DIVB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VYM | DIVB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -56.98% | -36.93% | -20.05% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.69% | -6.82% | +0.13% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.46% | -15.45% | +0.99% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.84% | -21.08% | +5.24% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.21% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.28% | -1.10% | -0.18% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.18% | -4.97% | -2.21% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.80% | 2.04% | -0.24% |
Volatility
VYM vs. DIVB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is 3.02%, while iShares Core Dividend ETF (DIVB) has a volatility of 4.61%. This indicates that VYM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DIVB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VYM | DIVB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.02% | 4.61% | -1.59% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.64% | 8.84% | -1.20% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.39% | 11.70% | -1.31% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.93% | 15.26% | -1.33% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.32% | 18.36% | -2.04% |
VYM vs. DIVB - Expense Ratio Comparison
VYM has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than DIVB's 0.05% 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
VYM vs. DIVB - Dividend Comparison
VYM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.30%, more than DIVB's 2.27% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DIVB iShares Core Dividend ETF | 2.27% | 2.50% | 2.61% | 3.18% | 2.02% | 1.63% | 2.08% | 2.07% | 2.52% | 0.37% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
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
With a correlation of 0.90, VYM and DIVB move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
DIVB has higher volatility (4.61%) compared to VYM (3.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VYM dropped -56.98% vs DIVB's -36.93%.
On 5-year performance, DIVB leads with 12.39% vs 11.88% for VYM. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VYM has been the lower-risk option at 3.02%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, DIVB has performed better with a 12.39% return vs 11.88%. 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 0.05% for DIVB.
VYM has the higher dividend yield at 2.30%, compared with 2.27% for DIVB.
VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, while DIVB tracks Morningstar US Dividend and Buyback Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VYM and 0.05% for DIVB.
DIVB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 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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