VHT ETF — Vanguard Health Care ETF

Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT)

VHT is a low-cost ETF that tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index. As of September 3, 2026, its distribution rate is 1.22%, its trailing-12-month yield is 1.45%, its expense ratio is 0.09%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 100/100 (Safe). Total return is 791.1% over the past 22.6 years, 138.0 points behind SPY at 929.1%.

At the current 1.22% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $122 per year, or $10.17 per month on an equivalent basis. Actual quarterly payments vary.

Vanguard Health Care ETF is an index fund that tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index, holding a broad range of large, mid-size, and small U.S. healthcare companies. The fund offers a modest current distribution rate with quarterly distributions and carries a low expense ratio of 0.09%. It appeals to income and growth investors seeking broad exposure to the healthcare sector through a passively managed, low-cost approach.

VHT performance versus SPY

Data as of September 3, 2026.

Total return is 791.1% over the past 22.6 years, 138.0 points behind SPY at 929.1%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 10.4%.

VHT key facts

Data as of September 3, 2026.

Distribution Safety Score™

100 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

1.22%

Issuer

Vanguard

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

01/26/2004

Expense ratio

0.09%

Distribution rate

1.22%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

1.45%

Last close

$324.80

NAV

$324.33

Premium / discount

0.14% premium

AUM

$19,408,623,312

Market cap

$14,595,264,512

Average volume

197504.0

Last dividend

$0.987

Last ex-dividend date

06/24/2026

Last payment date

06/26/2026

Beta

0.57

P/E ratio

30.5675

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (1.22%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (1.45%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. We show a 30-day SEC yield when the fund publishes one. Schwab and other issuers may report a TTM distribution yield or SEC yield on a different date — all can be valid; they are not interchangeable. 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. Figures below use Dividend Vision data as of September 3, 2026.

Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology · SEC yield

Sources and review

Data as of September 3, 2026.

Primary sources: Vanguard or company page; Index: MSCI US Investable Market Health Care 25/50 Index; 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.

VHT risks and drawbacks

VHT'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 10.4%.

Who may consider VHT — and who may not

VHT may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure, a high Distribution Safety Score. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (VHT 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.

Compare VHT

VHT vs similar funds:

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• VHT vs IYH
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Frequently asked questions

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