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

Higher yieldVYM2.33% vs 1.03%
Better 1-year total returnVOO+18.57% vs +15.53%
Better 5-year total returnVOO+86.31% vs +73.66%

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 September 25, 2026. The numbers update automatically after each trading session.

With dividends reinvested, VOO has led over the last 12 months at +18.57% versus +15.53% for VYM. VYM currently yields 2.33% (trailing 12-month) against 1.03% for VOO. Across five years the total-return gap is +86.31% for VOO vs +73.66% for VYM.

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.

Key figures for VYM and VOO
MetricVYMVOO
Last close$157.68$710.79
Dividend yield2.33% (TTM)1.03% (TTM)
Expense ratio——
Paysquarterlyquarterly
Dividends, last 12 months$3.68 (4 payments)$7.35 (4 payments)
IssuerVanguardVanguard
Inception——

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 · Sep 25, 2025 – Sep 25, 2026

DividendDuel.com

Overview

Key fund stats as of the latest close.

ETFTTM yield1Y total returnLast closeLast dividendPaysIssuer
VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares
2.33%
+15.53%$157.68$0.887QuarterlyVanguard
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF
1.03%
+18.57%Best$710.79$1.962QuarterlyVanguard

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-3.81%-0.25%+7.73%+15.53%+30.82%+73.66%
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF+0.96%+5.50%+18.08%+18.57%+38.60%+86.31%

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$0.887Sep 18, 2026-9.49%$3.6764 payoutsDec 18, 2023: $1.10Mar 15, 2024: $0.656Jun 21, 2024: $1.024Sep 20, 2024: $0.851Dec 20, 2024: $0.964Mar 21, 2025: $0.85Jun 20, 2025: $0.862Sep 19, 2025: $0.842Dec 19, 2025: $0.947Mar 20, 2026: $0.862Jun 18, 2026: $0.98Sep 18, 2026: $0.887
VOOVanguard S&P 500 ETF$1.962Jun 26, 2026+4.81%$7.3454 payoutsSep 28, 2023: $1.493Dec 20, 2023: $1.801Mar 22, 2024: $1.543Jun 28, 2024: $1.784Sep 27, 2024: $1.639Dec 23, 2024: $1.739Mar 27, 2025: $1.812Jun 30, 2025: $1.745Sep 29, 2025: $1.74Dec 22, 2025: $1.771Mar 27, 2026: $1.872Jun 26, 2026: $1.962

Recent dividend payments

The latest 12 distributions per share for each fund, newest first.

VYMVOO
Sep 18, 2026$0.887Jun 26, 2026$1.96
Jun 18, 2026$0.980Mar 27, 2026$1.87
Mar 20, 2026$0.862Dec 22, 2025$1.77
Dec 19, 2025$0.947Sep 29, 2025$1.74
Sep 19, 2025$0.842Jun 30, 2025$1.75
Jun 20, 2025$0.862Mar 27, 2025$1.81
Mar 21, 2025$0.850Dec 23, 2024$1.74
Dec 20, 2024$0.964Sep 27, 2024$1.64
Sep 20, 2024$0.851Jun 28, 2024$1.78
Jun 21, 2024$1.02Mar 22, 2024$1.54
Mar 15, 2024$0.656Dec 20, 2023$1.80
Dec 18, 2023$1.10Sep 28, 2023$1.49

VYM vs VOO: common questions

Which pays a higher dividend, VYM or VOO?

As of September 25, 2026, VYM yields 2.33% (trailing 12-month) and VOO yields 1.03% (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 +15.53% and VOO returned +18.57%. Over five years, VYM returned +73.66% and VOO returned +86.31%. 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 September 25, 2026 would have grown to about $11,553 in VYM and $11,857 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.

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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.