SDFI vs VYM
AB Short Duration Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, SDFI or VYM?
Long Term Mid Quality against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | SDFI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $193M | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.52% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 584 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +0.16% | +11.86%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.13% | +16.81%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.86% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.0%Best | 10.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -1.8%Best | -14.5% |
| $10,000 over 2.3 years | $10,992 | $14,172Best |
| Fund Family | AllianceBernstein L.P. | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Mid Quality | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 10, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 10, 2024 to Oct 13, 2026 (2.3 years).
SDFI 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 2.3 years both funds cover.
SDFI vs VYM Performance
AB Short Duration Income ETF (SDFI) is an ETF from AllianceBernstein L.P. and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SDFI returned +1.13% while VYM returned +16.81%. Year to date, SDFI is up 0.16% versus a gain of 11.86% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.7% compared with 2.0% for SDFI. 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 -1.8% for SDFI and -14.5% 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SDFI charges 0.30% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $30 vs $4 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SDFI currently yields 4.52% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 330 holdings in SDFI and 557 in VYM, totalling 58.1% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, SDFI as of Sep 15, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 330 positions we hold weights for in SDFI and 557 in VYM, against full books of 584 and 608.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SDFI 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, SDFI or VYM?
SDFI has an expense ratio of 0.30% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SDFI or VYM?
Over the past year SDFI returned +1.13% vs +16.81% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SDFI annualized +4.20% vs +16.37% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SDFI or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 10.7% annualized versus 2.0% for SDFI. Worst drawdown: SDFI -1.8% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both SDFI and VYM?
SDFI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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, SDFI or VYM?
SDFI yields 4.52% while VYM yields 2.22%, so SDFI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than SDFI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.