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

Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF SharesVanguard S&P 500 ETF

Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day

Performance: VYM vs VOO

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

VYMVOO

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

DividendDuel.com
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Higher yieldVYM2.26% vs 1.07%
Better 1-year total returnVYM+18.85% vs +13.45%
Better 5-year total returnVOO+72.68% vs +70.42%
Expense ratio—VYM n/a · VOO n/a

VYM vs VOO at a glance

This page compares Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares (VYM) with Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) using prices and distributions through November 9, 2026. The numbers update automatically after each trading session.

With dividends reinvested, VYM has led over the last 12 months at +18.85% versus +13.45% for VOO. VYM currently yields 2.26% (trailing 12-month) against 1.07% for VOO. Across five years the total-return gap is +72.68% for VOO vs +70.42% for VYM.

VYM 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 VOO
MetricVYMVOO
Last close$162.72$691.87
Dividend yield2.26% (TTM)1.07% (TTM)
Expense ratio——
Paysquarterlyquarterly
Dividends, last 12 months$3.68 (4 payments)$7.43 (4 payments)
IssuerVanguardVanguard
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%
Best+18.85%$162.72$0.8869QuarterlyVanguard
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF
1.07%
+13.45%$691.87$1.8226QuarterlyVanguard

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%
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF-3.31%-2.40%+2.60%+13.45%+28.87%+72.68%

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
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF$1.8226Sep 28, 2026-7.11%$7.42824 payoutsDec 20, 2023: $1.8011Mar 22, 2024: $1.5429Jun 28, 2024: $1.7835Sep 27, 2024: $1.6386Dec 23, 2024: $1.7385Mar 27, 2025: $1.8121Jun 30, 2025: $1.7447Sep 29, 2025: $1.74Dec 22, 2025: $1.771Mar 27, 2026: $1.8724Jun 26, 2026: $1.9622Sep 28, 2026: $1.8226

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 -24.53% for VOO. 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.

VOO's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $1.77 to $1.96 per share across 4 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.

VYMVOO
Sep 18, 2026$0.8869Sep 28, 2026$1.82
Jun 18, 2026$0.9795Jun 26, 2026$1.96
Mar 20, 2026$0.8617Mar 27, 2026$1.87
Dec 19, 2025$0.9474Dec 22, 2025$1.77
Sep 19, 2025$0.8417Sep 29, 2025$1.74
Jun 20, 2025$0.8617Jun 30, 2025$1.74
Mar 21, 2025$0.850Mar 27, 2025$1.81
Dec 20, 2024$0.9642Dec 23, 2024$1.74
Sep 20, 2024$0.8511Sep 27, 2024$1.64
Jun 21, 2024$1.02Jun 28, 2024$1.78
Mar 15, 2024$0.6555Mar 22, 2024$1.54
Dec 18, 2023$1.10Dec 20, 2023$1.80

VYM vs VOO: common questions

Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or VOO?

As of November 9, 2026, VYM yields 2.26% (trailing 12-month) and VOO yields 1.07% (trailing 12-month), so VYM currently pays the higher yield. A higher yield does not guarantee a higher total return.

Which has performed better, VYM or VOO?

Over the past year with dividends reinvested, VYM returned +18.85% and VOO returned +13.45%. Over five years, VYM returned +70.42% and VOO returned +72.68%. Past performance does not predict future results.

What would $10,000 in VYM vs VOO 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 $11,345 in VOO.

How often do VYM and VOO pay dividends?

VYM pays quarterly (4 payments in the last 12 months) and VOO pays quarterly (4 payments).

Is VYM or VOO 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 VOO beyond the yield

Use the same dates to compare an income strategy with its index alternative. Look at both reinvested total return and price return before using either fund's payout rate in an income scenario.

Review Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares (VYM) payment history and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) 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 VOO.

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.