VYM vs DGRO: Dividend Yield, Total Return & Fees Compared
Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF SharesiShares Core Dividend Growth ETF
Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day
VYM vs DGRO at a glance
This page compares Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares (VYM) with iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) using prices and distributions through September 25, 2026. The numbers update automatically after each trading session.
With dividends reinvested, DGRO has led over the last 12 months at +16.16% versus +15.53% for VYM. VYM currently yields 2.33% (trailing 12-month) against 1.95% for DGRO. Across five years the total-return gap is +73.66% for VYM vs +66.90% for DGRO.
The higher-yielding fund (VYM) has trailed on 1-year total return. Yield only measures the income a fund pays; total return also counts the change in share price, so it is the fuller basis for comparing the two.
| Metric | VYM | DGRO |
|---|---|---|
| Last close | $157.68 | $76.57 |
| Dividend yield | 2.33% (TTM) | 1.95% (TTM) |
| Expense ratio | — | — |
| Pays | quarterly | quarterly |
| Dividends, last 12 months | $3.68 (4 payments) | $1.49 (4 payments) |
| Issuer | Vanguard | iShares |
| Inception | — | — |
Performance: VYM vs DGRO
Total return assumes every distribution is reinvested. Switch to price return to see the change in share price alone.
Total Return (%) · dividends reinvested · Sep 25, 2025 – Sep 25, 2026
Overview
Key fund stats as of the latest close.
Total returns
Price change plus dividends paid, by holding period. Best in each period is outlined.
Recent dividend payments
The latest 12 distributions per share for each fund, newest first.
| VYM | DGRO | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 18, 2026 | $0.887 | Sep 15, 2026 | $0.385 |
| Jun 18, 2026 | $0.980 | Jun 15, 2026 | $0.331 |
| Mar 20, 2026 | $0.862 | Mar 17, 2026 | $0.331 |
| Dec 19, 2025 | $0.947 | Dec 16, 2025 | $0.447 |
| Sep 19, 2025 | $0.842 | Sep 16, 2025 | $0.369 |
| Jun 20, 2025 | $0.862 | Jun 16, 2025 | $0.324 |
| Mar 21, 2025 | $0.850 | Mar 18, 2025 | $0.311 |
| Dec 20, 2024 | $0.964 | Dec 17, 2024 | $0.378 |
| Sep 20, 2024 | $0.851 | Sep 25, 2024 | $0.403 |
| Jun 21, 2024 | $1.02 | Jun 11, 2024 | $0.293 |
| Mar 15, 2024 | $0.656 | Mar 21, 2024 | $0.311 |
| Dec 18, 2023 | $1.10 | Dec 20, 2023 | $0.370 |
VYM vs DGRO: common questions
Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or DGRO?
As of September 25, 2026, VYM yields 2.33% (trailing 12-month) and DGRO yields 1.95% (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 DGRO?
Over the past year with dividends reinvested, VYM returned +15.53% and DGRO returned +16.16%. Over five years, VYM returned +73.66% and DGRO returned +66.90%. Past performance does not predict future results.
What would $10,000 in VYM vs DGRO be worth after one year?
With dividends reinvested, $10,000 invested one year before September 25, 2026 would have grown to about $11,553 in VYM and $11,616 in DGRO.
How often do VYM and DGRO pay dividends?
VYM pays quarterly (4 payments in the last 12 months) and DGRO pays quarterly (4 payments).
Is VYM or DGRO 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.
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Figures come from end-of-day prices and distributions and are recalculated after every trading session; see our methodology. This page is for education only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Read the full disclosure.