VIG vs VHYL: returns, risk and drawdowns compared
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF against Vanguard FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield UCITS ETF (Dist), over the same 6 years (July 2020 to October 2026) with dividends reinvested.
Data updated October 2026
From July 2020 to October 2026, VIG returned 14.1% a year and VHYL 11.2% a year on average, so VIG came out ahead by 2.9% a year. VIG was the more volatile of the two (13.6% against 11.4% a year), and the deepest falls from a month-end high were 20.2% for VIG and 10.2% for VHYL.
The correlation of monthly returns was 0.69: they moved together only in part. Over 41 rolling 3-year periods, VIG did better in 95% and VHYL in 5%.
VIG trades in USD and VHYL in EUR: each return is in its own currency, so part of the gap reflects the move of the euro against the dollar.
Side by side
| VIG | VHYL | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (CAGR) | +14.1% | +11.2% |
| Total return | +130% | +96% |
| Annual volatility | 13.6% | 11.4% |
| Maximum drawdown (month-end) | −20.2% | −10.2% |
| Worst month | −8.2% | −7.9% |
| Best month | +10.0% | +11.0% |
| Positive months | 64% | 62% |
| Best year | 2021: +23.8% | 2021: +23.7% |
| Worst year | 2022: −9.8% | 2022: −4.0% |
| 1-year return | +13.5% | +23.1% |
| 5 years, a year | +10.3% | +8.8% |
| 10 years, a year | — | — |
| Trading currency | USD | EUR |
First nine rows: the same 76 months for both funds. Trailing returns: to each fund’s last close.
Growth of 10,000: VIG vs VHYL
Returns by calendar year
| Year | VIG | VHYL |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +14.2% | +10.1% |
| 2024 | +17.0% | +12.6% |
| 2023 | +14.5% | +3.9% |
| 2022 | −9.8% | −4.0% |
| 2021 | +23.8% | +23.7% |
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
The comparison uses only the months in which both funds have prices, so the figures cover the same period even when one fund is older.
Questions
Which has returned more, VIG or VHYL?
From July 2020 to October 2026, VIG returned +14.1% a year and VHYL +11.2% a year, with dividends reinvested, each in its own trading currency (USD and EUR). Over rolling 3-year periods VIG did better in 95% of cases. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VIG or VHYL?
Over the same months annual volatility was 13.6% for VIG and 11.4% for VHYL; the deepest fall from a month-end high was 20.2% and 10.2%, and the worst single month −8.2% and −7.9%.
How correlated are VIG and VHYL?
The correlation of their monthly returns was 0.69: they moved together only in part. Combining them has historically given some diversification.
More comparisons
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.