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

Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF SharesiShares Select Dividend ETF

Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day

Performance: VYM vs DVY

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

VYMDVY

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

DividendDuel.com
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Higher yieldDVY3.29% vs 2.26%
Better 1-year total returnDVY+19.87% vs +18.85%
Better 5-year total returnVYM+70.42% vs +61.83%
Expense ratio—VYM n/a · DVY n/a

VYM vs DVY at a glance

Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares (VYM) and iShares Select Dividend ETF (DVY) are compared below using data through the November 9, 2026 close, refreshed after every trading day.

Over the past year, DVY returned +19.87% with dividends reinvested, compared with +18.85% for VYM. DVY currently yields 3.29% (trailing 12-month) against 2.26% for VYM. Across five years the total-return gap is +70.42% for VYM vs +61.83% for DVY.

DVY 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 DVY
MetricVYMDVY
Last close$162.72$162.27
Dividend yield2.26% (TTM)3.29% (TTM)
Expense ratio——
Paysquarterlyquarterly
Dividends, last 12 months$3.68 (4 payments)$5.34 (4 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
DVYiShares Select Dividend ETF
3.29%
Best+19.87%$162.27$1.3291QuarterlyiShares

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%
DVYiShares Select Dividend ETF+5.12%+1.05%+8.30%+19.87%+26.10%+61.83%

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
DVYiShares Select Dividend ETF$1.3291Sep 15, 2026+6.57%$5.34194 payoutsDec 20, 2023: $1.1893Mar 21, 2024: $0.9976Jun 11, 2024: $0.9304Sep 25, 2024: $1.5496Dec 17, 2024: $1.3164Mar 18, 2025: $1.0495Jun 16, 2025: $1.2333Sep 16, 2025: $1.2465Dec 16, 2025: $1.6162Mar 17, 2026: $1.1493Jun 15, 2026: $1.2472Sep 15, 2026: $1.3291

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 -17.49% for DVY. 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.

DVY's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $1.15 to $1.62 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.

VYMDVY
Sep 18, 2026$0.8869Sep 15, 2026$1.33
Jun 18, 2026$0.9795Jun 15, 2026$1.25
Mar 20, 2026$0.8617Mar 17, 2026$1.15
Dec 19, 2025$0.9474Dec 16, 2025$1.62
Sep 19, 2025$0.8417Sep 16, 2025$1.25
Jun 20, 2025$0.8617Jun 16, 2025$1.23
Mar 21, 2025$0.850Mar 18, 2025$1.05
Dec 20, 2024$0.9642Dec 17, 2024$1.32
Sep 20, 2024$0.8511Sep 25, 2024$1.55
Jun 21, 2024$1.02Jun 11, 2024$0.9304
Mar 15, 2024$0.6555Mar 21, 2024$0.9976
Dec 18, 2023$1.10Dec 20, 2023$1.19

VYM vs DVY: common questions

Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or DVY?

As of November 9, 2026, VYM yields 2.26% (trailing 12-month) and DVY yields 3.29% (trailing 12-month), so DVY currently pays the higher yield. A higher yield does not guarantee a higher total return.

Which has performed better, VYM or DVY?

Over the past year with dividends reinvested, VYM returned +18.85% and DVY returned +19.87%. Over five years, VYM returned +70.42% and DVY returned +61.83%. Past performance does not predict future results.

What would $10,000 in VYM vs DVY 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 $11,987 in DVY.

How often do VYM and DVY pay dividends?

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

Is VYM or DVY 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 DVY 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 Select Dividend ETF (DVY) 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 DVY.

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.