VYM vs VIG: which ETF is better?
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) compared on fees, holdings overlap, dividend yield, returns and risk, using the latest data.
- VYM and VIG have high overlap: 61% of each fund by weight sits in the same holdings.
- Both charge the same expense ratio, 0.04% a year.
- Over the last 10 years, VIG returned an average of 13.7% a year against 11.9% for VYM, with dividends reinvested.
- VYM is more diversified, with 593 holdings against 333 in VIG.
- VYM pays more income, yielding 2.31% over the last 12 months against 1.50% for VIG.
- Overlap by weight
- 60.6%
- Shared holdings
- 209
| VYM | VIG | |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF |
| Issuer | Vanguard | Vanguard |
| Listed on | NYSE Arca · USD | NYSE Arca · USD |
| Expense ratio | 0.04% | 0.04% |
| Assets (AUM) | $78.9B | $109B |
| Launched | Nov 10, 2006 | Apr 21, 2006 |
| Holdings | 593 | 333 |
| Dividend yield (12m) | 2.31% · quarterly | 1.50% · quarterly |
| Asset class | Large Cap Equity | Large Cap Equity |
| Annualised return | VYM | VIG |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +16.8% | +14.8% |
| 3 years | +18.6% | +17.6% |
| 5 years | +10.7% | +9.8% |
| 10 years | +11.9% | +13.7% |
| Volatility | 12.4% | 12.3% |
| Max drawdown | -35.2% | -31.7% |
Volatility is the annualised standard deviation of daily returns over 3 years. Max drawdown is the largest fall from a peak over the last 10 years, or since launch.
| Holding | VYM | VIG |
|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 6.93% | 4.30% |
| JPMJPMorgan Chase & Co | 3.75% | 3.89% |
| XOMExxonMobil Holdings Corp | 2.84% | 2.96% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson | 2.71% | 2.83% |
| ABBVAbbVie Inc | 1.96% | 2.05% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc | 1.80% | 1.88% |
| CATCaterpillar Inc | 1.56% | 1.65% |
| MRKMerck & Co Inc | 1.52% | 1.59% |
| BACBank of America Corp | 1.50% | 1.57% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Co/The | 1.44% | 1.50% |
Pull each fund's details, full price history and holdings into Google Sheets or Excel, so your comparison updates itself.
=SF("VYM","etfInfo","expenseRatio&assetsUnderManagement&holdingsCount")=SF_TIMESERIES("VYM","2016-10-01",TODAY(),"dailyAdj")=SF("VIG","etfInfo","expenseRatio&assetsUnderManagement&holdingsCount")=SF_TIMESERIES("VIG","2016-10-01",TODAY(),"dailyAdj")Prices to Nov 6, 2026; holdings last checked Nov 6, 2026. Returns are in each fund's trading currency (USD). Past performance doesn't predict future returns. For information only, not investment advice.
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VYM vs VIG: frequently asked questions
How much do VYM and VIG overlap?
60.6% by weight. They share 209 holdings, and that share of each fund is invested in exactly the same positions. They share a large core but each adds something the other doesn't.
Is VYM or VIG cheaper?
They cost the same: both have an expense ratio of 0.04% a year.
Which has performed better, VYM or VIG?
Over the last 10 years, VIG has. VYM returned 11.9% and VIG 13.7% a year on average, including reinvested dividends, as of Nov 6, 2026. Past returns don't predict future ones.
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or VIG?
VYM does. Over the last 12 months VYM yielded 2.31%, paid quarterly, and VIG 1.50%, paid quarterly.
Should I hold both VYM and VIG?
They overlap by 61%, so holding both does spread your money more widely than either alone. Whether that suits you depends on the mix you want. This is general information, not advice.
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