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VYM vs. HDV
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VYM vs. HDV

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) and HDV (iShares Core High Dividend ETF) are both Dividend funds - VYM tracks the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index while HDV tracks the Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VYM returned 11.98%/yr vs 9.45%/yr for HDV. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VYM charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for HDV.

Performance

VYM vs. HDV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) and iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV). 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 HDV's 14.07% return. Over the past 10 years, VYM has outperformed HDV with an annualized return of 11.98%, while HDV has yielded a comparatively lower 9.45% 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%

HDV

1D
1.33%
1M
-1.35%
YTD
14.07%
6M
14.08%
1Y
21.06%
3Y*
15.48%
5Y*
11.09%
10Y*
9.45%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VYM vs. HDV - 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%
HDV
iShares Core High Dividend ETF		14.07%11.90%14.16%1.72%7.05%19.45%-6.48%20.22%-3.01%13.40%

Correlation

The correlation between VYM and HDV is 0.60, 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

0.60

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

0.75

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

0.84

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

0.88

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2011

0.90

Over the past year, the correlation between VYM and HDV has dropped to 0.60 - well below their long-term average of 0.90, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VYM vs. HDV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VYM
HDV

Technology

20.3%
0.2%

Financial Services

19.9%
4.7%

Healthcare

12.2%
22.6%

Industrials

11.8%
3.5%

Energy

9.1%
20.2%

Consumer Defensive

8.0%
24.5%

Consumer Cyclical

6.6%
9.2%

Utilities

5.4%
8.1%

Basic Materials

3.4%
0.8%

Communication Services

3.4%
5.7%

Real Estate

0.0%

-

Technology

VYM
20.3%
HDV
0.2%

Financial Services

VYM
19.9%
HDV
4.7%

Healthcare

VYM
12.2%
HDV
22.6%

Industrials

VYM
11.8%
HDV
3.5%

Energy

VYM
9.1%
HDV
20.2%

Consumer Defensive

VYM
8.0%
HDV
24.5%

Consumer Cyclical

VYM
6.6%
HDV
9.2%

Utilities

VYM
5.4%
HDV
8.1%

Basic Materials

VYM
3.4%
HDV
0.8%

Communication Services

VYM
3.4%
HDV
5.7%

Real Estate

VYM
0.0%
HDV

-

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 High Dividend ETF

Often compared with VYM:
VYM vs. SCHDVYM vs. VIGVYM vs. VYMIVYM vs. FDVVVYM vs. VOOVYM vs. VTIVYM vs. DGRO
Often compared with HDV:
HDV vs. SCHDHDV vs. SPYDHDV vs. DGROHDV vs. DVYHDV vs. VIGHDV vs. SPYHDV vs. VOO

Return for Risk

VYM vs. HDV — 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
HDV
HDV Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
HDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6868
Sharpe Ratio Rank
HDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 7373
Sortino Ratio Rank
HDV Omega Ratio Rank: 6262
Omega Ratio Rank
HDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 8181
Calmar Ratio Rank
HDV Martin Ratio Rank: 6464
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. HDV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

VYMHDVDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.33
2.13

+0.20

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.33
3.13

+0.21

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.42

1.36

+0.06

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.61

4.09

-0.47

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.43

11.19

+2.24

VYM vs. HDV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VYM Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is comparable to the HDV Sharpe Ratio of 2.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VYM and HDV, 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. HDV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VYM drawdown since its inception was -56.98%, which is greater than HDV's maximum drawdown of -37.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VYM and HDV.

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Drawdown Indicators

VYMHDVDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-56.98%

-37.04%

-19.94%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-6.69%

-5.18%

-1.51%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.46%

-10.49%

-3.97%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-15.84%

-15.42%

-0.42%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-35.21%

-37.04%

+1.83%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.28%

-1.35%

+0.07%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.18%

-3.08%

-4.10%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.80%

1.89%

-0.09%

Volatility

VYM vs. HDV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is 3.02%, while iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) has a volatility of 3.64%. This indicates that VYM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HDV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VYMHDVDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.02%

3.64%

-0.62%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

7.64%

7.61%

+0.03%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

10.39%

9.93%

+0.46%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

13.93%

12.81%

+1.12%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.32%

15.73%

+0.59%

VYM vs. HDV - Expense Ratio Comparison

VYM has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than HDV'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%.

Dividends

VYM vs. HDV - Dividend Comparison

VYM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.30%, less than HDV's 2.90% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
HDV
iShares Core High Dividend ETF		2.90%3.22%3.67%3.82%3.56%3.47%4.07%3.27%3.67%3.27%3.28%3.92%
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 HDV have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

HDV has higher volatility (3.64%) compared to VYM (3.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VYM dropped -56.98% vs HDV's -37.04%.

On 10-year performance, VYM leads with 11.98% vs 9.45% for HDV. 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 10-year period, VYM has performed better with a 11.98% return vs 9.45%. 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 0.08% for HDV.

HDV has the higher dividend yield at 2.90%, compared with 2.30% for VYM.

VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, while HDV tracks Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VYM and 0.08% for HDV.

VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 2.13), 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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