DON vs VYM
WisdomTree US MidCap Dividend Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, DON or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. DON is less concentrated, with 12.3% 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 | DON | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $3.8B | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.43% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 295 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +6.86% | +11.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.95% | +15.96%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.93% | +18.60%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.47% | +11.51%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.3% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -64.4% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,336 | $17,241Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 12.3%Best | 25.8% |
| Fund Family | WisdomTree Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 16, 2006 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Oct 14, 2026 (19.9 years).
DON 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 19.9 years both funds cover.
DON vs VYM Performance
WisdomTree US MidCap Dividend Fund (DON) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year DON returned +8.95% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, DON is up 6.86% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Over three years, DON compounded at +12.93% per year against +18.60% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +7.47% and +11.51% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.82% annualized vs +6.26%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DON has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.3% compared with 14.6% 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 -64.4% for DON and -58.8% 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 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DON charges 0.38% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $4 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DON currently yields 2.43% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
68.0% of DON's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.5% of VYM's money is in holdings DON also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
156 positions in common, counted across the 295 positions we hold weights for in DON and 602 in VYM, against full books of 295 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 295 and 602 positions we hold weights for.
VYM holds 417 positions DON does not, 92.4% of the fund.
Largest: AVGO 6.94%, JPM 3.83%, XOM 2.70%, JNJ 2.58%, ABBV 1.83%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DON | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBYBest Buy Co. Inc. | 1.51% | 0.06% | 1.45% |
| VTRSViatris | 1.48% | 0.08% | 1.40% |
| BENFranklin Resources Inc. | 1.43% | 0.04% | 1.39% |
| DINOHf Sinclair Corporation | 1.38% | 0.06% | 1.32% |
| APAApa Corp | 1.33% | 0.06% | 1.27% |
| PRPermian Resources Corp | 1.11% | 0.07% | 1.04% |
| SWKStanley Black & Decker Inc. | 1.06% | 0.06% | 1.00% |
| HASHasbro Inc. | 1.04% | 0.05% | 0.99% |
| AFGAmerican Financial Group Inc/Oh | 1.00% | 0.04% | 0.96% |
| OMCOmnicom Group Inc. | 0.91% | 0.10% | 0.81% |
68.0% of DON is already inside VYM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, DON or VYM?
DON has an expense ratio of 0.38% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DON or VYM?
Over the past year DON returned +8.95% vs +15.96% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), DON annualized +6.26% vs +6.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DON or VYM?
DON has been the more volatile fund at 18.3% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: DON -64.4% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both DON and VYM?
DON and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between DON and VYM?
68.0% of DON's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.5% of VYM's is in holdings DON also owns. They hold 156 positions in common, counted across the 295 positions we hold weights for in DON and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, DON or VYM?
DON yields 2.43% while VYM yields 2.37%, so DON currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than DON?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. DON is less concentrated, with 12.3% 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.