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Dividend Vision

VGMS ETF — Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond ETF

Vanguard Multi-Sector Income Bond ETF (VGMS)

Updated October 16, 2026.

Verdict as of October 16, 2026

VGMS's distribution is rated safe by the Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ (80/100, high confidence). It pays monthly and its distribution rate is 5.20%. The latest total cash payment per current share, $0.215 with an ex-date of October 1, 2026, was 5.7% lower than the previous $0.228. These payments are unclassified; this does not establish a base-dividend change.

Sources: Vanguard page for VGMS, Section 19a-1 notices, scoring methodology.

VGMS is an ETF. its distribution rate is 5.20%, its trailing-12-month yield is 5.60%, its expense ratio is 0.30%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 80/100 (Safe). Total return is 5.5% over the past 1.3 years, 23.5 points behind SPY at 29.0%.

VGMS dividend yield and income

Price as of 2026-10-16.

The distribution rate (5.20%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Trailing-12-month yield (5.60%) is the last year of cash distributions by ex-date divided by the current price. The dividend amount is $0.215. The ex-dividend date is 10/01/2026. The payment date is 10/05/2026.

Recorded distribution timeline (16)
Ex-dateAmountChange from previous payment
2026-10-01$0.215-5.7%
Unclassified cash
2026-09-01$0.228-2.6%
Unclassified cash
2026-08-03$0.2344.9%
Unclassified cash
2026-07-01$0.223-2.6%
Unclassified cash
2026-06-01$0.2294.6%
Unclassified cash
2026-05-01$0.219-5.6%
Unclassified cash
2026-04-01$0.23213.7%
Unclassified cash
2026-03-02$0.204-11.3%
Unclassified cash
2026-02-02$0.23N/A
2025-12-18$0.33961.4%
Unclassified cash
2025-12-01$0.21-0.9%
Unclassified cash
2025-11-03$0.212-4.5%
Unclassified cash
2025-10-01$0.2229.4%
Unclassified cash
2025-09-02$0.203-8.6%
Unclassified cash
2025-08-01$0.222101.8%
Unclassified cash
2025-07-01$0.11—
2025 total (partial launch year)$1.518—
2026 YTD total$2.014—

VGMS holdings and sector exposure

Holdings are not available for this snapshot.

VGMS performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 5.5% over the past 1.3 years, 23.5 points behind SPY at 29.0%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 2.7%.

WindowTotal returnCAGR
1M-0.7%—
3M-1.6%—
6M-0.9%—
YTD0.0%—
1Y1.3%—
Since inception (1.3 years)5.5%4.00%

VGMS key facts

Distribution Safety Score™
80 · Safe
Safety-Adjusted Yield
4.16%
Issuer
Vanguard
Asset type
ETF
Asset class
Fixed Income
Inception date
06/09/2025
Expense ratio
0.30%
Distribution rate
5.20%
Distribution frequency
Monthly
Trailing yield
5.60%
Last close
$49.59 (as of 2026-10-16)
AUM
$301,718,600
Average volume
169187.0
Dividend
$0.215
Ex-dividend date
10/01/2026
Payment date
10/05/2026
Beta
0.1694

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (5.20%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (5.60%) 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.

VGMS risks and drawbacks

Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 2.7%.

Who may consider VGMS — and who may not

VGMS may suit someone looking for a high Distribution Safety Score, moderate current income with a quality tilt. It is a weaker fit for 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 VGMS

Tagged: Fixed Income.

Frequently asked questions

Does VGMS pay monthly?

Yes. VGMS currently pays monthly.

What is VGMS's expense ratio?

VGMS's expense ratio is 0.30%.

What is VGMS's dividend yield?

VGMS's distribution rate is 5.20%, paid monthly, with a 0.30% expense ratio — calculation basis unavailable.

When does VGMS pay a dividend?

VGMS pays monthly. The dividend amount is $0.215. The ex-dividend date is 10/01/2026. The payment date is 10/05/2026.

How has VGMS performed?

Total return is 5.5% over the past 1.3 years, 23.5 points behind SPY at 29.0%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 2.7%.

Is VGMS a good investment?

VGMS's Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score is 80 (Safe). That is a risk signal, not investment advice. Its distribution rate is 5.20% (calculation basis unavailable). Compare peers below rather than treating any single figure as a buy or sell.

DividendVision analysis is generated from public SEC filing data and may not capture every change. Review the original filing for complete information.