Compare/Updated Oct 26, 2026, refreshed every trading day
VYM vs VYMI
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF against Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF: 4 years of returns, risk and today’s technical read, from Kavout’s own data.
VYMI did better over the 1,000-trading-day period: $1,000 invested on October 28, 2022 grew to $2,188, a total return of 118.8%, versus $1,694 and 69.4% for VYM. VYMI also led over three years, 88.6% versus 70.1%, and had stronger one-year and YTD returns. The advantage came with higher risk: VYMI’s 12-month volatility was 13.4%, compared with 10.0% for VYM. However, VYMI’s worst drawdown was slightly smaller at -12.8%, versus -14.5% for VYM. Their daily moves were moderately correlated at 0.736, so they provided meaningful but incomplete diversification. VYM had the lower expense ratio, 0.04% versus 0.07%, and larger assets, $96B versus $22B. VYMI’s stronger performance matters most for investors prioritizing recent international-market returns; VYM offered lower volatility and costs.
- 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 ($98); 50-day at $103.
- RSI 47, neutral. Supertrend says sell. ADX 19, so the trend is weak.
Head to head
Which has returned more, VYM or VYMI?
VYM beat VYMI in 21 of the last 48 months; VYMI won the other 27. The typical monthly gap was 1.53 points.
Total return by period
Which is riskier?
VYM: Feb 19, 2025 to Apr 8, 2025; VYMI: Mar 19, 2025 to Apr 8, 2025
- 0.736
- correlation of daily moves, 4 years
- 0.67
- VYM move per 1% in VYMI
- 0.708
- correlation, last 12 months
Month by month
Of the last 48 months. The typical gap was 1.53 points.
When did they diverge?
| Month | VYM | VYMI | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 2025 | -3.5% | +2.7% | -6.28 pts |
| March 2025 | -3.2% | +2.6% | -5.81 pts |
| November 2024 | +5.4% | -0.2% | +5.66 pts |
| January 2023 | +2.4% | +7.9% | -5.57 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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