VYM vs. VUAA.L

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) and VUAA.L (Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF USD Accumulation) are both exchange-traded funds - VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, while VUAA.L is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Net Total Return. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VYM returned 11.59%/yr vs 13.22%/yr for VUAA.L. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VYM charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VUAA.L.

Performance

VYM vs. VUAA.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) and Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF USD Accumulation (VUAA.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VYM achieves a 12.37% return, which is significantly higher than VUAA.L's 8.41% return.

VYM

• 1D: 0.80%
• 1M: 3.01%
• YTD: 12.37%
• 6M: 11.19%
• 1Y: 24.69%
• 3Y*: 18.06%
• 5Y*: 11.59%
• 10Y*: 11.95%

VUAA.L

• 1D: 2.02%
• 1M: 0.41%
• YTD: 8.41%
• 6M: 9.69%
• 1Y: 24.57%
• 3Y*: 20.75%
• 5Y*: 13.22%
• 10Y*: —

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

VYM vs. VUAA.L - 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%	13.28%
VUAA.L Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF USD Accumulation	8.41%	17.37%	25.27%	26.68%	-18.63%	29.34%	20.33%	14.82%

Correlation

The correlation between VYM and VUAA.L is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 14, 2019	0.46

VYM vs. VUAA.L - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VYM	VUAA.L
Financial Services	20.5%	11.6%
Technology	17.7%	35.7%
Healthcare	12.2%	8.5%
Industrials	12.1%	8.3%
Energy	9.8%	3.5%
Consumer Defensive	8.1%	4.9%
Consumer Cyclical	6.7%	10.2%
Utilities	5.7%	2.4%
Communication Services	3.5%	11.3%
Basic Materials	3.5%	1.8%
Real Estate	0.0%	1.9%

Return for Risk

VYM vs. VUAA.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

VYM

VYM Risk / Return Rank: 83
VYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
VYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
VYM Omega Ratio Rank: 83
VYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
VYM Martin Ratio Rank: 81

VUAA.L

VUAA.L Risk / Return Rank: 74
VUAA.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VUAA.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VUAA.L Omega Ratio Rank: 72
VUAA.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VUAA.L Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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. VUAA.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) and Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF USD Accumulation (VUAA.L). 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	VUAA.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	2.04	+0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.37	3.01	+0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.37	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.70	2.99	+0.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.81	12.46	+1.35

VYM vs. VUAA.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VYM Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the VUAA.L Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VYM and VUAA.L, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VYM vs. VUAA.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VYM drawdown since its inception was -56.98%, which is greater than VUAA.L's maximum drawdown of -34.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VYM and VUAA.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	VYM	VUAA.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.98%	-34.05%	-22.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.69%	-8.18%	+1.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.46%	-18.39%	+3.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.84%	-24.36%	+8.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.21%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.52%	-2.26%	+1.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.18%	-4.99%	-2.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.80%	1.97%	-0.17%

Volatility

VYM vs. VUAA.L - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is 3.31%, while Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF USD Accumulation (VUAA.L) has a volatility of 3.99%. This indicates that VYM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VUAA.L based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VYM	VUAA.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.31%	3.99%	-0.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.81%	9.03%	-1.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.47%	12.03%	-1.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.99%	16.05%	-2.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.35%	17.81%	-1.46%

VYM vs. VUAA.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

VYM has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than VUAA.L's 0.07% 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. VUAA.L - Dividend Comparison

VYM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.19%, while VUAA.L has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VUAA.L Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF USD Accumulation	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.63%	0.00%	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

Can I hold both VYM and VUAA.L in my portfolio?

VYM and VUAA.L have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VYM or VUAA.L?

On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VYM or VUAA.L?

VYM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for VUAA.L.

What is the main difference between VYM and VUAA.L?

VYM is categorized as Dividend, while VUAA.L is S&P 500. VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, while VUAA.L tracks S&P 500 Net Total Return. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VYM and 0.07% for VUAA.L.