ETF Versus

DVY vs VYM

iShares Select Dividend ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares

Last updated: 2026-04-02

DVY iShares

iShares Select Dividend ETF (DVY) is an exchange-traded fund issued by iShares that provides exposure to U.S. dividend-paying stocks selected for yield or dividend growth. It charges an above-average expense ratio of 0.38%. The fund offers an attractive dividend yield of 3.47%. Launched in 2003, the fund has a 23-year track record.

AUM: $22.0B ER: 0.38% Yield: 3.47% Since: Nov 3, 2003
VYM Vanguard

Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares (VYM) is an exchange-traded fund issued by Vanguard that provides exposure to U.S. dividend-paying stocks selected for yield or dividend growth. It charges a very low expense ratio of 0.04%. The fund offers a moderate dividend yield of 2.37%. Launched in 2006, the fund has a 20-year track record.

AUM: $71.3B ER: 0.04% Yield: 2.37% Since: Nov 10, 2006

Quick Verdict

VYM is significantly cheaper at 0.04% vs 0.38% expense ratio, saving you approximately $668 per $10,000 invested over 10 years. VYM has edged ahead over the past year (15.0% vs 12.6%). Income investors may prefer DVY for its higher yield (3.5% vs 2.4%).

Key Metrics

Metric DVY VYM
Expense Ratio 0.38% 0.04%
Dividend Yield 3.5% 2.4%
Fund Family iShares Vanguard
Category US Dividend US Dividend

Performance Chart

Indexed to 100 at start (5-year comparison)

85 99 113 127 141 155 2021-04 2022-06 2023-09 2024-12 2026-04
DVY +30.7%
VYM +44.6%

Performance Comparison

Period DVY VYM Difference
1 Month -3.15% -4.59% +1.44%
3 Months +5.89% +2.20% +3.69%
6 Months +5.53% +4.52% +1.01%
YTD +5.89% +2.20% +3.69%
1 Year +12.56% +14.98% -2.42%
3 Years +28.73% +39.18% -10.45%
5 Years +30.67% +44.55% -13.88%

Fee Impact Over Time

Estimated fee cost difference assuming 8% annual returns

Investment Period DVY Fees VYM Fees You Save
$10.000 10 years $748 $80 $668
$10.000 20 years $3.173 $344 $2.829
$10.000 30 years $10.097 $1.112 $8.985
$50.000 10 years $3.739 $399 $3.339
$50.000 30 years $50.486 $5.560 $44.925
$100.000 30 years $100.972 $11.121 $89.851

Risk Metrics

Based on 5 years of daily returns

Metric DVY VYM
Annualized Volatility 15.5% 14.0%
Max Drawdown -22.1% -17.5%
Sharpe Ratio 0.13 0.28

Dividend Comparison

Metric DVY VYM
Annual Dividend (per share) $5.24 $3.51
Dividend Yield 3.47% 2.37%
Distribution Frequency Quarterly Quarterly

Top Holdings

0 of top 10 holdings overlap (0% overlap in top holdings)

DVY Top Holdings

NameWeight
Pfizer Inc.PFE2.33%
Altria Group, Inc.MO2.17%
Verizon Communications Inc.VZ2.01%
ONEOK, Inc.OKE1.93%
Prudential Financial, Inc.PRU1.81%
T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.TROW1.75%
LyondellBasell Industries N.V.LYB1.70%
General Mills, Inc.GIS1.62%
Edison InternationalEIX1.60%
Kimberly-Clark CorporationKMB1.57%

VYM Top Holdings

NameWeight
Broadcom Inc.AVGO6.48%
JPMorgan Chase & Co.JPM3.36%
Exxon Mobil CorporationXOM2.83%
Johnson & JohnsonJNJ2.63%
Walmart Inc.WMT2.44%
AbbVie Inc.ABBV1.81%
The Procter & Gamble CompanyPG1.72%
The Home Depot, Inc.HD1.66%
Chevron CorporationCVX1.54%
Caterpillar Inc.CAT1.51%

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose VYM if...

you want the lowest fees and plan to buy and hold long-term. Over decades, the expense ratio difference compounds significantly.

Choose VYM if...

recent performance momentum matters to your strategy. Note that past performance doesn't guarantee future results.

Choose DVY if...

you prioritize dividend income and want higher regular distributions from your portfolio.

Either works if...

you just need broad us dividend exposure. Both are solid options — pick whichever your brokerage offers commission-free.

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