DFIV vs VYM
Dimensional International Value ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DFIV or VYM?
DFIV has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DFIV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DFIV is less concentrated, with 15.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.8%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | DFIV | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.27% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $21.7B | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.78% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 607 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +12.68%Best | +11.83% |
| 1Y Return | +25.67%Best | +15.96% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.89%Best | +18.60% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.84%Best | +11.51% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7% | 13.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -25.4% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,974Best | $17,241 |
| Top 10 Weight | 15.6%Best | 25.8% |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 16, 1999 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 13, 2021 to Oct 14, 2026 (5.1 years).
DFIV vs VYM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 5.1 years both funds cover.
DFIV vs VYM Performance
Dimensional International Value ETF (DFIV) is an ETF from Dimensional and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DFIV returned +25.67% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, DFIV is up 12.68% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Over three years, DFIV compounded at +23.89% per year against +18.60% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +14.84% and +11.51% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DFIV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 13.8% for VYM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -25.4% for DFIV and -15.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.83. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFIV charges 0.27% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $27 vs $4 annually, a gap of $23 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFIV currently yields 2.78% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
0.1% of VYM's money is in holdings DFIV also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 589 positions we hold weights for in DFIV and 602 in VYM, against full books of 607 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 572 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for DFIV (97.8% of the fund), and 13 for DFIV that do not appear in VYM (6.1%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DFIV | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPInternational Paper Co. | 0.02% | 0.08% | 0.06% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DFIV and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DFIV or VYM?
DFIV has an expense ratio of 0.27% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $23 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFIV or VYM?
Over the past year DFIV returned +25.67% vs +15.96% for VYM, so DFIV leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFIV or VYM?
DFIV has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 13.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: DFIV -25.4% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both DFIV and VYM?
DFIV and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.83, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, DFIV or VYM?
DFIV yields 2.78% while VYM yields 2.37%, so DFIV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DFIV?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. DFIV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DFIV is less concentrated, with 15.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.