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ETF Comparison

FDVV vs VIG: Current Yield Screen, or Dividend Growth?

A head-to-head of Fidelity High Dividend and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation covering screens, cost, and cash.

Updated October 2, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Best for

  • FDVVInvestors who want higher current income (2.38% vs 1.58% for VIG).
  • VIGInvestors who want simple, diversified core exposure in one low-cost fund.

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year.

FDVV has outpaced VIG over the trailing twelve months, posting a 11.98% total return against 10.12%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: FDVV has compounded at 13.09% a year, against 13.00% for VIG. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
SymbolYTD cumulative1Y cumulative3Y annualized5Y annualized10Y annualizedSince Sep 2016Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
FDVV9.21%11.98%20.42%13.87%13.09%13.13%12.6%1.131.63-15.9%
VIG7.84%10.12%16.94%10.68%13.00%13.02%12.2%0.921.34-15.0%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of October 2, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year. “Since Sep 2016” measures every fund from September 15, 2016 — the start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricFDVVVIG
Full nameFidelity High Dividend ETFVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF
IssuerFidelity InvestmentsVanguard
Underlying indexFidelity High Dividend IndexS&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index
Last Close$60.92 as of October 2, 2026$235.05 as of October 2, 2026
Distribution rate2.38%1.58%
Trailing 12-month yield2.81%1.55%
Distribution Safety Score™ 93100
Safety-Adjusted Yield 2.21%1.58%
Expense ratio0.15%0.04%
AUM$10.3B$111B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
ObjectiveSeeks to track the Fidelity High Dividend Index, investing at least 80% of assets in large- and mid-capitalization high-dividend-paying companies expected to keep paying and growing their dividends.Seeks to track the performance of the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, which consists of common stocks of companies that have a record of at least 10 years of increasing regular cash dividend payments.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date09/12/201604/21/2006
Beta0.760.74
Last dividend$0.362$0.93
Ex-dividend date09/18/202609/28/2026

Bottom lineChoose FDVV if you want higher current income (2.38% vs 1.58% for VIG). Choose VIG if you want simple, diversified core exposure in one low-cost fund.

Higher current yield versus dividend-growth rules

FDVV tilts toward higher-yielding US stocks. VIG tilts toward companies that have grown dividends. Screen construction is the decision.

FDVVVIG
ScreenHigher-yielding US stocksUS dividend growers
Expense ratio0.15%0.04%
Distribution rate2.38%1.58%
Fund size$10.3B$111B
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Income calculator

See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

Fidelity Investments
ETFs85
Total AUM$210B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

Fidelity Investments is one of the largest asset managers globally and maintains a substantial presence in the ETF market with a diverse lineup spanning multiple investment strategies. Their offerings cover a wide spectrum of approaches including traditional dividend and income strategies, factor-based and thematic investing, international equity exposure, bond allocations, and index-tracking funds. The issuer is known for both broad market accessibility and specialized strategies, serving investors across various risk profiles and investment objectives.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on FDVV.

See all Fidelity Investments ETFs
Vanguard
ETFs116
Total AUM$4676B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

Vanguard is one of the largest and most established ETF issuers, known for low-cost, broadly diversified fund offerings built on passive indexing principles. Their lineup spans multiple asset classes and strategies, including core equity and bond index funds, dividend-focused portfolios, ESG-screened options, factor-based strategies, sector exposure, target-date retirement funds, and international investments across developed and emerging markets. The platform is characterized by its emphasis on accessibility and cost efficiency across a comprehensive range of fund families, serving both individual investors seeking broad market exposure and those pursuing specific income, sustainability, or thematic objectives.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on VIG.

See all Vanguard ETFs

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Quick verdict

FDVV (Fidelity High Dividend ETF) and VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

FDVV offers the higher yield at 2.38% vs 1.58% for VIG. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

VIG is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.04% compared to 0.15%.

They have different reference exposures: FDVV is linked to Fidelity High Dividend Index while VIG is linked to S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

VIG is the larger fund by assets ($111B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Who should choose each?

Choose FDVV

Fidelity High Dividend ETF

  • Want higher current income — FDVV yields 2.38% vs 1.58% for VIG.
  • Want a quality-dividend tilt — screened payers rather than the broad index.

Choose VIG

Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF

  • Want simple, diversified core exposure as a portfolio building block.
  • Want to keep costs low — a 0.04% expense ratio vs 0.15% for FDVV.

Not sure? Use the income calculator and snapshot above to weigh these trade-offs against your own goals.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, FDVV would generate roughly $59.50 cash per distribution, while VIG would produce $39.50 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

FDVV yield2.38%
VIG yield1.58%
Cash diff on $10K$20.00

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, FDVV would cost approximately $150 in fees vs $40 for VIG (simplified, not compounded). The $110.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

FDVV ER0.15%
VIG ER0.04%

Strategy & risk

FDVV tracks Fidelity High Dividend Index, while VIG tracks S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index. Beta is 0.76 for FDVV and 0.74 for VIG — effectively similar market sensitivity.

FDVV beta0.76
VIG beta0.74

Fund details

FDVV is managed by Fidelity Investments (launched 09/12/2016) with $10.3B in assets. VIG is managed by Vanguard (launched 04/21/2006) with $111B in assets.

FDVV AUM$10.3B
VIG AUM$111B
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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between FDVV and VIG?

FDVV (Fidelity High Dividend ETF) screens higher-yielding US stocks. VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF) screens companies that have grown dividends. Screen rule, not a one-date yield, is the comparison. Cost is 0.15% versus 0.04%; distributions are 2.38% and 1.58% as of October 2026.

What is the current distribution rate for FDVV and VIG?

FDVV currently distributes 2.38% and VIG 1.58%, based on fund data updated October 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is FDVV or VIG better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. FDVV currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.

Can I hold both FDVV and VIG?

Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.

Is FDVV or VIG safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — VIG scores 100, FDVV scores 93, so VIG's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, FDVV or VIG?

FDVV has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VIG charges 0.04%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in FDVV vs VIG generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in FDVV would generate roughly $59.50 cash per distribution ($238.00 annually). The same in VIG would produce about $39.50 cash per distribution ($158.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, FDVV or VIG?

FDVV has outpaced VIG over the trailing twelve months, posting a 11.98% total return against 10.12%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: FDVV has compounded at 13.09% a year, against 13.00% for VIG. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

FDVV vs VIG — at a glance

Generated October 4, 2026.

Overview

FDVV and VIG are both index ETFs focused on U.S. dividend-paying stocks, but they target different segments of the dividend universe. FDVV tracks companies selected for high current dividend yields and growth expectations, while VIG tracks the S&P's universe of companies with at least 10 years of consecutive dividend increases. The key distinction: FDVV prioritizes yield now, VIG prioritizes a track record of rising payouts.

How they differ

FDVV's 2.38% distribution rate is 0.8% percentage points higher than VIG's 1.58%, reflecting a strategy centered on high-yielding stocks. VIG's narrower focus on 10-year dividend growers typically captures more mature, slower-growing but consistent payers; FDVV casts a wider net for current income. On cost, VIG's 0.04% expense ratio undercuts FDVV's 0.15% by 0.11% percentage points. Both carry similar 0.76 and 0.74 betas, indicating comparable volatility to the broad market.

Who each is best for

FDVV: Fits investors seeking higher current income from dividend stocks and willing to accept more turnover in the underlying portfolio to capture high-yielding opportunities that may not yet have a decade-long payout history.

VIG: Fits investors who prioritize companies with a proven, long-term commitment to dividend growth over the highest current yield, and who value the cost efficiency and scale that comes with a larger, more established fund.

Key risks to know

  • Sector concentration: Both funds' focus on dividend stocks skews exposure toward mature, lower-growth sectors (financials, utilities, consumer staples, energy), leaving them underweighted in technology and growth industries. This can drag relative performance during growth-led market rallies.
  • Yield compression and NAV pressure: FDVV's emphasis on current high yields creates risk that selected companies may cut or plateau dividends if earnings deteriorate, potentially dragging NAV downward. VIG's stricter criteria reduce this risk but offer less income upside.
  • Dividend-growth strategy limitation: VIG's 10-year-increase requirement captures a specific set of mature dividend growers but may exclude younger high-growth companies with attractive future dividend potential, limiting upside capture.
  • Economic sensitivity: Dividend cuts tend to accelerate during recessions and credit stress, particularly in rate-sensitive sectors like utilities and REITs—a risk both funds carry given their dividend-stock tilts.

Bottom line

If you want higher current income and are comfortable with companies earlier in their dividend-growth journey, FDVV's 2.38% yield offers more cash flow; if you value a proven track record of rising payouts and lower fees, VIG's 0.04% cost and $111B scale make it the more economical, established choice. Both expose you to dividend-cut risk and sector concentration; your holdings elsewhere may overlap with these funds' underlying stocks. Past performance does not predict future results.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

Learn the method

The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

What the distribution rate really tells you Why a high yield isn't high income How to read a fund's stats T-bills vs. money market funds vs. CDs

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These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.