VYM vs VHYL: returns, risk and drawdowns compared
Vanguard High Dividend Yield 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, VYM returned 15.0% a year and VHYL 11.2% a year on average, so VYM came out ahead by 3.9% a year. VYM was the more volatile of the two (13.8% against 11.4% a year), and the deepest falls from a month-end high were 14.1% for VYM and 10.2% for VHYL.
The correlation of monthly returns was 0.79: they usually moved together. Over 41 rolling 3-year periods, VYM did better in 100% and VHYL in 0%.
VYM 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
| VYM | VHYL | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (CAGR) | +15.0% | +11.2% |
| Total return | +143% | +96% |
| Annual volatility | 13.8% | 11.4% |
| Maximum drawdown (month-end) | −14.1% | −10.2% |
| Worst month | −7.9% | −7.9% |
| Best month | +12.3% | +11.0% |
| Positive months | 61% | 62% |
| Best year | 2021: +26.2% | 2021: +23.7% |
| Worst year | 2022: −0.4% | 2022: −4.0% |
| 1-year return | +16.6% | +23.1% |
| 5 years, a year | +11.3% | +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: VYM vs VHYL
Returns by calendar year
| Year | VYM | VHYL |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +15.4% | +10.1% |
| 2024 | +17.6% | +12.6% |
| 2023 | +6.6% | +3.9% |
| 2022 | −0.4% | −4.0% |
| 2021 | +26.2% | +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, VYM or VHYL?
From July 2020 to October 2026, VYM returned +15.0% 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 VYM did better in 100% of cases. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VYM or VHYL?
Over the same months annual volatility was 13.8% for VYM and 11.4% for VHYL; the deepest fall from a month-end high was 14.1% and 10.2%, and the worst single month −7.9% and −7.9%.
How correlated are VYM and VHYL?
The correlation of their monthly returns was 0.79: they usually moved together. 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.