VFMV ETF — Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility

Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility (VFMV)

Updated October 16, 2026.

VFMV is a low-cost ETF. its distribution rate is 0.95%, its trailing-12-month yield is 1.58%, its expense ratio is 0.13%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 63/100 (Generally safe). Total return is 127.1% over the past 8.7 years, 92.1 points behind SPY at 219.2%.

Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility is an ETF that invests primarily in U.S. common stocks selected for their potential to generate lower volatility relative to the broad U.S. equity market, with at least 80% of assets in securities from U.S. companies across diverse sectors and industries. The fund carries a modest current distribution rate and makes quarterly distributions, with a low expense ratio of 0.13%. It appeals to equity investors seeking to reduce portfolio volatility while maintaining broad market exposure.

VFMV performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 127.1% over the past 8.7 years, 92.1 points behind SPY at 219.2%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 15.4%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 6.0%.

VFMV key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

63 · Generally safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

0.60%

Issuer

Vanguard

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

02/13/2018

Expense ratio

0.13%

Distribution rate

0.95%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

1.58%

Last close

$145.91 (as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$469,506,600

Average volume

23663.0

Dividend

$0.345

Ex-dividend date

09/23/2026

Payment date

09/25/2026

Beta

0.53

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (0.95%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (1.58%) is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: Vanguard or company page; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

VFMV risks and drawbacks

VFMV's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 6.0%.

Who may consider VFMV — and who may not

VFMV may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (VFMV pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

More on VFMV

• All tickers starting with V

Frequently asked questions

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