VYM vs. ISHG
VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) and ISHG (iShares 1-3 Year International Treasury Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, while ISHG is a International Government Bonds fund tracking the S&P/Citigroup International Treasury Bond Index Ex-US 1-3 Year. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VYM returned 11.98%/yr vs -0.31%/yr for ISHG. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VYM charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for ISHG.
Performance
VYM vs. ISHG - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VYM achieves a 11.51% return, which is significantly higher than ISHG's -1.71% return. Over the past 10 years, VYM has outperformed ISHG with an annualized return of 11.98%, while ISHG has yielded a comparatively lower -0.31% 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%
ISHG
- 1D
- -0.34%
- 1M
- -1.79%
- YTD
- -1.71%
- 6M
- -1.87%
- 1Y
- -0.16%
- 3Y*
- 3.51%
- 5Y*
- -1.12%
- 10Y*
- -0.31%
VYM vs. ISHG - 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% | 16.42% |
ISHG iShares 1-3 Year International Treasury Bond ETF | -1.71% | 13.31% | -4.16% | 3.76% | -10.95% | -7.05% | 7.47% | -0.64% | -3.54% | 10.91% |
Correlation
The correlation between VYM and ISHG is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.27 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 28, 2009 | 0.18 |
Over the past year, VYM and ISHG have become more correlated (0.38) than their long-term average of 0.18, meaning their price movements have been converging.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
VYM vs. ISHG — Risk / Return Rank
VYM
ISHG
VYM vs. ISHG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) and iShares 1-3 Year International Treasury Bond ETF (ISHG). 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 | ISHG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.36 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +3.32 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.00 | +0.42 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.61 | -0.03 | +3.64 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.43 | -0.07 | +13.50 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
VYM vs. ISHG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VYM drawdown since its inception was -56.98%, which is greater than ISHG's maximum drawdown of -37.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VYM and ISHG.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VYM | ISHG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -56.98% | -37.24% | -19.74% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -6.69% | -5.02% | -1.67% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.46% | -8.21% | -6.25% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.84% | -22.45% | +6.61% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.21% | -25.56% | -9.65% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.28% | -23.56% | +22.28% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.18% | -18.44% | +11.26% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.80% | 2.13% | -0.33% |
Volatility
VYM vs. ISHG - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) has a higher volatility of 3.02% compared to iShares 1-3 Year International Treasury Bond ETF (ISHG) at 1.78%. This indicates that VYM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ISHG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VYM | ISHG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.02% | 1.78% | +1.24% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.64% | 4.90% | +2.74% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.39% | 6.55% | +3.84% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.93% | 7.59% | +6.34% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.32% | 6.93% | +9.39% |
VYM vs. ISHG - Expense Ratio Comparison
VYM has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than ISHG's 0.35% expense ratio.
Dividends
VYM vs. ISHG - Dividend Comparison
VYM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.30%, more than ISHG's 1.48% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ISHG iShares 1-3 Year International Treasury Bond ETF | 1.48% | 1.45% | 2.56% | 0.18% | 0.00% | 1.29% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.80% | 0.46% | 0.00% | 0.09% |
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 ISHG have a correlation of 0.38, 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 ISHG (1.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VYM dropped -56.98% vs ISHG's -37.24%.
On 10-year performance, VYM leads with 11.98% vs -0.31% for ISHG. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, ISHG has been the lower-risk option at 1.78%. 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 -0.31%. 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 0.35% for ISHG.
VYM has the higher dividend yield at 2.30%, compared with 1.48% for ISHG.
VYM is categorized as Dividend, while ISHG is International Government Bonds. VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, while ISHG tracks S&P/Citigroup International Treasury Bond Index Ex-US 1-3 Year. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VYM and 0.35% for ISHG.
VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs -0.02), 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.
Find the right allocation for VYM and ISHG
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer