VYM vs. FRDM
VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) and FRDM (Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, while FRDM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VYM returned 11.59%/yr vs 18.68%/yr for FRDM. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VYM charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for FRDM.
Performance
VYM vs. FRDM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VYM achieves a 12.37% return, which is significantly lower than FRDM's 40.13% return.
VYM
- 1D
- 0.80%
- 1M
- 1.97%
- YTD
- 12.37%
- 6M
- 11.19%
- 1Y
- 25.94%
- 3Y*
- 18.06%
- 5Y*
- 11.59%
- 10Y*
- 11.95%
FRDM
- 1D
- 0.49%
- 1M
- 4.97%
- YTD
- 40.13%
- 6M
- 46.37%
- 1Y
- 87.32%
- 3Y*
- 34.29%
- 5Y*
- 18.68%
- 10Y*
- —
VYM vs. FRDM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 12.37% | 15.42% | 17.60% | 6.57% | -0.43% | 26.20% | 1.15% | 11.62% |
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF | 40.13% | 61.27% | 1.70% | 22.77% | -14.45% | 6.13% | 16.90% | 12.23% |
Correlation
The correlation between VYM and FRDM is 0.54, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.54 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.53 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.58 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2019 | 0.59 |
The correlation between VYM and FRDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.53 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VYM vs. FRDM — Risk / Return Rank
VYM
FRDM
VYM vs. FRDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) and Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM). 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 | FRDM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.78 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.31 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.54 | -0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.70 | 5.02 | -1.32 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.81 | 19.36 | -5.55 |
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Drawdowns
VYM vs. FRDM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VYM drawdown since its inception was -56.98%, which is greater than FRDM's maximum drawdown of -40.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VYM and FRDM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VYM | FRDM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -56.98% | -40.49% | -16.49% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.69% | -16.87% | +10.18% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.46% | -16.87% | +2.41% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.84% | -29.25% | +13.41% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.21% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.52% | -4.36% | +3.84% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.18% | -7.09% | -0.09% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.80% | 4.37% | -2.57% |
Volatility
VYM vs. FRDM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is 3.31%, while Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) has a volatility of 14.27%. This indicates that VYM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FRDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VYM | FRDM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.31% | 14.27% | -10.96% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.81% | 24.39% | -16.58% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.47% | 26.86% | -16.39% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.99% | 21.35% | -7.36% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.35% | 23.09% | -6.74% |
VYM vs. FRDM - Expense Ratio Comparison
VYM has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than FRDM's 0.49% expense ratio.
Dividends
VYM vs. FRDM - Dividend Comparison
VYM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.19%, more than FRDM's 1.56% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FRDM Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF | 1.56% | 2.26% | 2.53% | 2.66% | 2.72% | 2.17% | 1.11% | 1.07% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 2.19% | 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 FRDM have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
FRDM has higher volatility (14.27%) compared to VYM (3.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VYM dropped -56.98% vs FRDM's -40.49%.
On 5-year performance, FRDM leads with 18.68% vs 11.59% for VYM. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VYM has been the lower-risk option at 3.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, FRDM has performed better with a 18.68% return vs 11.59%. 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 0.49% for FRDM.
VYM has the higher dividend yield at 2.19%, compared with 1.56% for FRDM.
VYM is categorized as Dividend, while FRDM is Emerging Markets Diversified. VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, while FRDM tracks Life + Liberty Freedom 100 Emerging Markets Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Freedom Funds. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VYM and 0.49% for FRDM.
FRDM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.15 vs 2.37), 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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