VYM vs. VDADX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) and VDADX (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, while VDADX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VYM returned 11.90%/yr vs 13.22%/yr for VDADX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VYM charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VDADX.

Performance

VYM vs. VDADX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VYM achieves a 12.47% return, which is significantly higher than VDADX's 7.70% return. Over the past 10 years, VYM has underperformed VDADX with an annualized return of 11.90%, while VDADX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.22% annualized return.

VYM

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: 3.38%
• YTD: 12.47%
• 6M: 12.01%
• 1Y: 26.16%
• 3Y*: 18.88%
• 5Y*: 11.48%
• 10Y*: 11.90%

VDADX

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 3.96%
• YTD: 7.70%
• 6M: 7.14%
• 1Y: 19.81%
• 3Y*: 16.52%
• 5Y*: 10.75%
• 10Y*: 13.22%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VYM vs. VDADX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	12.47%	15.42%	17.60%	6.57%	-0.43%	26.20%	1.15%	24.06%	-5.92%	16.42%
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	7.70%	14.17%	16.99%	14.44%	-9.80%	23.59%	15.47%	29.68%	-2.06%	22.22%

Correlation

The correlation between VYM and VDADX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 2013	0.91

The correlation between VYM and VDADX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

VYM vs. VDADX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VYM	VDADX
Financial Services	20.5%	20.6%
Technology	17.7%	26.2%
Healthcare	12.2%	16.5%
Industrials	12.1%	11.8%
Energy	9.8%	3.5%
Consumer Defensive	8.1%	10.1%
Consumer Cyclical	6.7%	4.7%
Utilities	5.7%	3.2%
Communication Services	3.5%	0.5%
Basic Materials	3.5%	3.5%
Real Estate	0.0%	-

Return for Risk

VYM vs. VDADX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VYM

VYM Risk / Return Rank: 77
VYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
VYM Omega Ratio Rank: 76
VYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
VYM Martin Ratio Rank: 75

VDADX

VDADX Risk / Return Rank: 49
VDADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
VDADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
VDADX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
VDADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
VDADX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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. VDADX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX). 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.

	VYM	VDADX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.56	2.05	+0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.65	2.98	+0.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.37	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.93	2.61	+1.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.76	10.51	+4.25
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. VDADX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VYM Sharpe Ratio is 2.56, which is comparable to the VDADX Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VYM and VDADX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VYM	VDADX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.56	2.05	+0.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83	0.76	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.82	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.76	-0.25

Drawdowns

VYM vs. VDADX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VYM drawdown since its inception was -56.98%, which is greater than VDADX's maximum drawdown of -31.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VYM and VDADX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VYM	VDADX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.98%	-31.70%	-25.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.69%	-7.93%	+1.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.46%	-14.95%	+0.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.84%	-20.42%	+4.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.21%	-31.70%	-3.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.43%	0.00%	-0.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.19%	-3.41%	-3.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.78%	1.96%	-0.18%

Volatility

VYM vs. VDADX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) has a higher volatility of 2.77% compared to Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares (VDADX) at 2.31%. This indicates that VYM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VDADX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VYM	VDADX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.77%	2.31%	+0.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.67%	7.65%	+0.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.28%	10.07%	+0.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.96%	14.27%	-0.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.34%	16.20%	+0.14%

VYM vs. VDADX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VYM has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than VDADX'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. VDADX - Dividend Comparison

VYM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.19%, more than VDADX's 1.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VDADX Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.45%	1.60%	1.71%	1.86%	1.94%	1.53%	1.61%	1.69%	2.07%	1.88%	2.14%	2.34%
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

Can I hold both VYM and VDADX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, VYM and VDADX 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.

Which is riskier, VYM or VDADX?

VYM has higher volatility (2.77%) compared to VDADX (2.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VYM dropped -56.98% vs VDADX's -31.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 2.05), 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.