Compare/Updated Oct 26, 2026, refreshed every trading day
VIG vs VYM
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF against Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF: 4 years of returns, risk and today’s technical read, from Kavout’s own data.
VIG did best over the full period: $1,000 grew to $1,751, versus $1,694 for VYM and $1,649 for SCHD. Its 75.1% gain matters because it delivered the strongest long-term result while maintaining the lowest 12-month volatility at 10.0% and a -15.0% worst drawdown. VYM ranked second, with a 69.4% gain, the same 10.0% volatility, and a slightly milder -14.5% drawdown. SCHD lagged over the full period despite leading recent performance, including 31.8% YTD, 35.2% over one year, and 14.9% over six months. However, it carried the highest risk: 11.3% volatility and a -16.1% worst drawdown. All three funds were highly correlated, especially VIG and VYM at 0.944, so diversification benefits among them are limited.
- Price is above its 200-day average ($230); 50-day at $239.
- RSI 61, neutral. Supertrend says buy. ADX 28, so the trend is strong.
- Price is above its 200-day average ($155); 50-day at $161.
- RSI 59, neutral. Supertrend says buy. ADX 24, so the trend is developing.
Head to head
Which has returned more, VIG or VYM?
VIG beat VYM in 27 of the last 48 months; VYM won the other 21. The typical monthly gap was 0.87 points.
Total return by period
Which is riskier?
Both: Feb 19, 2025 to Apr 8, 2025
- 0.944
- correlation of daily moves, 4 years
- 0.94
- VIG move per 1% in VYM
- 0.933
- correlation, last 12 months
Month by month
Of the last 48 months. The typical gap was 0.87 points.
When did they diverge?
| Month | VIG | VYM | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2024 | +2.8% | +5.4% | -2.61 pts |
| January 2026 | +1.9% | +4.5% | -2.56 pts |
| March 2023 | +1.9% | -0.6% | +2.44 pts |
| May 2023 | -2.7% | -5.1% | +2.39 pts |
Where the numbers come from. 1000 daily adjusted closes per fund from the Kavout market-data API, dividends included. Signals and indicators are Kavout’s own, refreshed nightly. Every figure is calculated from those adjusted closes.
Holdings and fees
What do you actually own with VIG and VYM?
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