VYM vs HDV: Dividend Yield, Total Return & Fees Compared

Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF SharesiShares Core High Dividend ETF

Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day

Performance: VYM vs HDV

Total return assumes every distribution is reinvested. Switch to price return to see the change in share price alone.

VYMHDV

Total Return (%) · dividends reinvested · Nov 7, 2025 – Nov 9, 2026

DividendDuel.com
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Higher yieldHDV3.14% vs 2.26%
Better 1-year total returnHDV+32.31% vs +18.85%
Better 5-year total returnHDV+84.48% vs +70.42%
Expense ratio—VYM n/a · HDV n/a

VYM vs HDV at a glance

This page compares Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares (VYM) with iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) using prices and distributions through November 9, 2026. The numbers update automatically after each trading session.

With dividends reinvested, HDV has led over the last 12 months at +32.31% versus +18.85% for VYM. HDV currently yields 3.14% (trailing 12-month) against 2.26% for VYM. Across five years the total-return gap is +84.48% for HDV vs +70.42% for VYM.

HDV leads on both current yield and 1-year total return. Yields and returns move with markets, so check the longer periods below before drawing conclusions.

Key figures for VYM and HDV
MetricVYMHDV
Last close$162.72$30.55
Dividend yield2.26% (TTM)3.14% (TTM)
Expense ratio——
Paysquarterlymonthly
Dividends, last 12 months$3.68 (4 payments)$0.9585 (7 payments)
IssuerVanguardiShares
Inception——

Overview

Key fund stats as of the latest close.

ETFTTM yield1Y total returnLast closeLast dividendPaysIssuer
VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares
2.26%
+18.85%$162.72$0.8869QuarterlyVanguard
HDViShares Core High Dividend ETF
3.14%
Best+32.31%$30.55$0.1063MonthlyiShares

Total returns

Price change plus dividends paid, by holding period. Best in each period is outlined.

ETF1M3M6M1Y2Y5Y
VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares+2.50%-1.21%+5.90%+18.85%+29.23%+70.42%
HDViShares Core High Dividend ETF+6.79%+7.11%+16.03%+32.31%+36.51%+84.48%

Dividends

Latest payout, trailing 12-month total and the last 12 distributions.

ETFLatest payoutvs. priorTrailing 12MRecent payouts
VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares$0.8869Sep 18, 2026-9.45%$3.67554 payoutsDec 18, 2023: $1.0995Mar 15, 2024: $0.6555Jun 21, 2024: $1.0237Sep 20, 2024: $0.8511Dec 20, 2024: $0.9642Mar 21, 2025: $0.85Jun 20, 2025: $0.8617Sep 19, 2025: $0.8417Dec 19, 2025: $0.9474Mar 20, 2026: $0.8617Jun 18, 2026: $0.9795Sep 18, 2026: $0.8869
HDViShares Core High Dividend ETF$0.1063Oct 21, 2026+89.99%$0.95857 payoutsSep 25, 2024: $0.2459Dec 17, 2024: $0.2243Mar 18, 2025: $0.159Jun 16, 2025: $0.1826Sep 16, 2025: $0.1899Dec 16, 2025: $0.2506Mar 17, 2026: $0.1686Jun 15, 2026: $0.185Jul 15, 2026: $0.0874Aug 19, 2026: $0.1046Sep 16, 2026: $0.056Oct 21, 2026: $0.1063

Downside and distribution variability

Income and ending returns do not describe the whole investment experience.

Across 1,265 shared trading dates from October 26, 2021 to November 9, 2026, the largest observed peak-to-trough decline with dividends reinvested was -15.87% for VYM and -15.39% for HDV. These figures use the same available dates for both instruments, exclude intraday moves, and are not forecasts.

VYM's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.8617 to $0.9795 per share across 4 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.

HDV's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.056 to $0.2506 per share across 7 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.

Fund expense ratios are annual operating costs, not a bill added to the historical returns shown here. Trading spreads, brokerage costs and personal taxes can reduce an investor's realized return.

How the fund strategies differ

Strategy notes checked against issuer sources on ; market figures above update separately.

VYM: Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares

Tracks the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, providing exposure to U.S. companies with comparatively high forecast dividend yields.

A higher dividend yield does not protect against a decline in share price. Compare the portfolio's exposure and total return as well as its distributions.

Source: Vanguard VYM fact sheet. Read the current issuer documents for complete objectives, holdings and risks.

Recent distributions

The latest 12 distributions per share, newest first. Dates are reported ex-dividend dates, not cash payment dates.

VYMHDV
Sep 18, 2026$0.8869Oct 21, 2026$0.1063
Jun 18, 2026$0.9795Sep 16, 2026$0.056
Mar 20, 2026$0.8617Aug 19, 2026$0.1046
Dec 19, 2025$0.9474Jul 15, 2026$0.0874
Sep 19, 2025$0.8417Jun 15, 2026$0.185
Jun 20, 2025$0.8617Mar 17, 2026$0.1686
Mar 21, 2025$0.850Dec 16, 2025$0.2506
Dec 20, 2024$0.9642Sep 16, 2025$0.1899
Sep 20, 2024$0.8511Jun 16, 2025$0.1826
Jun 21, 2024$1.02Mar 18, 2025$0.159
Mar 15, 2024$0.6555Dec 17, 2024$0.2243
Dec 18, 2023$1.10Sep 25, 2024$0.2459

VYM vs HDV: common questions

Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or HDV?

As of November 9, 2026, VYM yields 2.26% (trailing 12-month) and HDV yields 3.14% (trailing 12-month), so HDV currently pays the higher yield. A higher yield does not guarantee a higher total return.

Which has performed better, VYM or HDV?

Over the past year with dividends reinvested, VYM returned +18.85% and HDV returned +32.31%. Over five years, VYM returned +70.42% and HDV returned +84.48%. Past performance does not predict future results.

What would $10,000 in VYM vs HDV be worth after one year?

With dividends reinvested, $10,000 invested one year before November 9, 2026 would have grown to about $11,885 in VYM and $13,231 in HDV.

How often do VYM and HDV pay dividends?

VYM pays quarterly (4 payments in the last 12 months) and HDV pays monthly (7 payments).

Is VYM or HDV the better investment?

It depends on your goals, time horizon and tax situation. Income-focused investors often weigh yield and payment frequency, while long-term investors usually compare total return and fees. Dividend Duel is an educational tool and does not provide investment advice.

Research VYM and HDV beyond the yield

Compare payment history with total return and fees. Check whether a larger current yield comes with different drawdowns or less consistent distributions; a dividend-growth label does not promise future increases.

Review Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares (VYM) payment history and iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) payment history before choosing assumptions for the dividend reinvestment calculator. Run each scenario separately; the calculator uses your rates rather than importing these historical returns.

For a cash target, use the income goal calculator. Read our guide to comparing dividend ETFs and data and editorial approach for context on the historical figures.

Related comparisons

More side-by-side comparisons with VYM and HDV.

Published by Delta Dividends LLC. This page is for education only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Read the full disclosure.