VYMI vs. VHYAX

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF) and VHYAX (Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - VYMI is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index, while VHYAX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VYMI returned 13.68%/yr vs 12.00%/yr for VHYAX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VYMI charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VHYAX.

Performance

VYMI vs. VHYAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VYMI achieves a 14.95% return, which is significantly higher than VHYAX's 12.93% return.

VYMI

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 1.45%
• 6M: 11.74%
• YTD: 14.95%
• 1Y: 32.17%
• 3Y*: 21.50%
• 5Y*: 13.68%
• 10Y*: 10.81%

VHYAX

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: 0.48%
• 6M: 9.47%
• YTD: 12.93%
• 1Y: 22.93%
• 3Y*: 17.71%
• 5Y*: 12.00%
• 10Y*: —

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

VYMI vs. VHYAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	14.95%	38.05%	7.06%	17.07%	-7.02%	15.39%	-1.11%	10.32%
VHYAX Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares	12.93%	15.39%	17.39%	6.68%	-0.45%	26.08%	1.06%	16.67%

Correlation

The correlation between VYMI and VHYAX is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 7, 2019	0.75

The correlation between VYMI and VHYAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

VYMI vs. VHYAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VYMI	VHYAX
Financial Services	42.0%	19.9%
Energy	8.9%	9.1%
Basic Materials	7.0%	3.4%
Consumer Defensive	6.8%	8.0%
Healthcare	6.6%	12.2%
Industrials	6.5%	11.8%
Consumer Cyclical	6.5%	6.6%
Technology	5.4%	20.3%
Utilities	5.3%	5.4%
Communication Services	4.0%	3.4%
Real Estate	1.2%	0.0%

Return for Risk

VYMI vs. VHYAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VYMI

VYMI Risk / Return Rank: 86
VYMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
VYMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
VYMI Omega Ratio Rank: 89
VYMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
VYMI Martin Ratio Rank: 81

VHYAX

VHYAX Risk / Return Rank: 82
VHYAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
VHYAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
VHYAX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
VHYAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
VHYAX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

VYMI vs. VHYAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHYAX). 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	VHYAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.44	2.09	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.34	3.01	+0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.38	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.19	3.20	-0.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.41	11.98	+0.43

VYMI vs. VHYAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VYMI Sharpe Ratio is 2.44, which is comparable to the VHYAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VYMI and VHYAX, 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

VYMI vs. VHYAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VYMI drawdown since its inception was -40.00%, which is greater than VHYAX's maximum drawdown of -35.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VYMI and VHYAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VYMI	VHYAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.00%	-35.14%	-4.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.14%	-6.75%	-3.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.84%	-14.42%	+1.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.05%	-15.87%	-8.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.00%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.60%	+0.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.25%	-3.73%	-2.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.60%	1.80%	+0.80%

Volatility

VYMI vs. VHYAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) has a higher volatility of 3.04% compared to Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHYAX) at 1.93%. This indicates that VYMI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VHYAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VYMI	VHYAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.04%	1.93%	+1.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.32%	7.52%	+3.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.27%	10.34%	+2.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.86%	13.94%	+0.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.53%	17.86%	-1.33%

VYMI vs. VHYAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VYMI has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than VHYAX'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

VYMI vs. VHYAX - Dividend Comparison

VYMI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.55%, more than VHYAX's 2.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
VHYAX Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.24%	2.42%	2.72%	3.09%	2.98%	2.74%	3.16%	3.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	3.55%	3.68%	4.84%	4.58%	4.70%	4.30%	3.22%	4.20%	4.29%	3.21%	2.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VYMI and VHYAX in my portfolio?

VYMI and VHYAX have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VYMI or VHYAX?

VYMI has higher volatility (3.04%) compared to VHYAX (1.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VYMI dropped -40.00% vs VHYAX's -35.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYMI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 2.09), 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.