VYMI vs. VBTLX
VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF) and VBTLX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - VYMI is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index, while VBTLX is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VYMI returned 11.24%/yr vs 1.54%/yr for VBTLX. At a correlation of -0.01, they often move in opposite directions. VYMI charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VBTLX.
Performance
VYMI vs. VBTLX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VYMI achieves a 12.90% return, which is significantly higher than VBTLX's 0.42% return. Over the past 10 years, VYMI has outperformed VBTLX with an annualized return of 11.24%, while VBTLX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.54% annualized return.
VYMI
- 1D
- 0.54%
- 1M
- 1.28%
- YTD
- 12.90%
- 6M
- 14.90%
- 1Y
- 31.26%
- 3Y*
- 21.73%
- 5Y*
- 12.29%
- 10Y*
- 11.24%
VBTLX
- 1D
- 0.52%
- 1M
- 0.55%
- YTD
- 0.42%
- 6M
- 0.97%
- 1Y
- 4.90%
- 3Y*
- 4.05%
- 5Y*
- 0.05%
- 10Y*
- 1.54%
VYMI vs. VBTLX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF | 12.90% | 38.05% | 7.06% | 17.07% | -7.02% | 15.39% | -1.11% | 18.43% | -12.65% | 22.36% |
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | 0.42% | 7.17% | 1.26% | 5.74% | -13.16% | -1.81% | 7.72% | 8.73% | -0.25% | 3.56% |
Correlation
The correlation between VYMI and VBTLX 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 | 0.29 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.00 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 2, 2016 | -0.01 |
The correlation between VYMI and VBTLX shifts across timeframes, from -0.01 (all time) to 0.38 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VYMI vs. VBTLX — Risk / Return Rank
VYMI
VBTLX
VYMI vs. VBTLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX). 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.
| VYMI | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.00 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.19 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.41 | 1.22 | +0.18 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.96 | 1.70 | +1.26 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.60 | 4.93 | +6.67 |
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Drawdowns
VYMI vs. VBTLX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VYMI drawdown since its inception was -40.00%, which is greater than VBTLX's maximum drawdown of -18.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VYMI and VBTLX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VYMI | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -40.00% | -18.81% | -21.19% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.14% | -2.89% | -7.25% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.84% | -6.00% | -6.84% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.05% | -18.14% | -5.91% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -40.00% | -18.81% | -21.19% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -2.18% | +2.18% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.30% | -2.67% | -3.63% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.59% | 1.00% | +1.59% |
Volatility
VYMI vs. VBTLX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) has a higher volatility of 4.40% compared to Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VBTLX) at 1.33%. This indicates that VYMI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBTLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VYMI | VBTLX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.40% | 1.33% | +3.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.15% | 2.85% | +8.30% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.33% | 3.93% | +9.40% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.90% | 6.01% | +8.89% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.85% | 4.98% | +11.87% |
VYMI vs. VBTLX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VYMI has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than VBTLX's 0.04% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VYMI vs. VBTLX - Dividend Comparison
VYMI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.39%, less than VBTLX's 3.98% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VBTLX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | 3.98% | 3.87% | 3.69% | 3.10% | 2.59% | 1.96% | 2.39% | 2.74% | 2.57% | 2.56% | 2.53% | 2.82% |
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF | 3.39% | 3.68% | 4.84% | 4.58% | 4.70% | 4.30% | 3.22% | 4.20% | 4.29% | 3.21% | 2.39% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VYMI and VBTLX 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.
VYMI has higher volatility (4.40%) compared to VBTLX (1.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VYMI dropped -40.00% vs VBTLX's -18.81%.
VYMI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 1.25), 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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