Compare/Updated Oct 26, 2026, refreshed every trading day
VYM vs VTI
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF against Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF: 4 years of returns, risk and today’s technical read, from Kavout’s own data.
VTI did better over the period: $1,000 invested on October 28, 2022 grew to $2,017, compared with $1,694 for VYM. VTI’s total return was therefore 101.7% versus 69.4% for VYM, reflecting stronger broad-market participation despite a higher risk profile. Over the last 12 months, VTI’s volatility was 12.9% versus 10.0% for VYM, and its worst drawdown was -19.3% versus -14.5%. VYM provided lower volatility and shallower losses, but its dividend-focused exposure lagged VTI’s broader market exposure. The funds remained closely related, with a 0.844 daily-move correlation, although VYM moved only 0.68% for each 1% move in VTI. VTI also had the lower expense ratio, 0.03% versus 0.04%, and has substantially larger assets.
- 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.
- Price is above its 200-day average ($357); 50-day at $377.
- RSI 42, neutral. Supertrend says sell. ADX 14, so the trend is weak.
Head to head
Which has returned more, VYM or VTI?
VYM beat VTI in 22 of the last 48 months; VTI won the other 26. The typical monthly gap was 1.61 points.
Total return by period
Which is riskier?
Both: Feb 19, 2025 to Apr 8, 2025
- 0.844
- correlation of daily moves, 4 years
- 0.68
- VYM move per 1% in VTI
- 0.725
- correlation, last 12 months
Month by month
Of the last 48 months. The typical gap was 1.61 points.
When did they diverge?
| Month | VYM | VTI | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2023 | -5.1% | +0.4% | -5.55 pts |
| January 2023 | +2.4% | +6.9% | -4.57 pts |
| October 2026 | +4.1% | -0.3% | +4.39 pts |
| April 2026 | +6.1% | +10.4% | -4.27 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
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