ETF Comparison

IDV vs VYMI: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of iShares International Select Dividend ETF and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated September 18, 2026

Best for

IDVInvestors who want higher current income (4.85% vs 3.17% for VYMI).
VYMIInvestors who want a quality-dividend tilt rather than the whole market.

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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.

IDV has outpaced VYMI over the trailing twelve months, posting a 26.53% total return against 26.42%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — VYMI has compounded at 10.95% a year, ahead of IDV at 10.40%. 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.
Symbol	YTD	1Y	3Y	5Y	10Y	Since Mar 2016	Volatility	Sharpe	Sortino	Max drawdown
IDV	13.90%	26.53%	25.30%	13.97%	10.40%	10.74%	13.8%	1.31	1.88	-11.9%
VYMI	16.66%	26.42%	22.68%	14.18%	10.95%	11.21%	13.7%	1.17	1.70	-12.8%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 18, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; windows of one year or longer are annualized. “Since Mar 2016” measures every fund from March 2, 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.
Metric	IDV	VYMI
Full name	iShares International Select Dividend ETF	Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF
Issuer	iShares	Vanguard
Underlying index	Dow Jones EPAC Select Dividend Index	FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index
Last Close	$43.69 as of September 18, 2026	$103.13 as of September 18, 2026
Distribution rate	4.85%	3.17%
Distribution Safety Score™	87	88
Safety-Adjusted Yield	4.22%	2.79%
Expense ratio	0.50%	0.07%
AUM	$8.56B	$21.8B
Distribution frequency	Quarterly	Quarterly
Objective	Seeks to track the Dow Jones EPAC Select Dividend Index, investing at least 80% of assets in 100 high dividend-paying companies across Europe, the Pacific, Asia and Canada.	Seeks to track the FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index, investing at least 80% of net assets in the international high-dividend stocks that make up the target index.
Asset class	Equity	Equity
Inception date	06/11/2007	02/25/2016
Beta	0.71	0.71
Last dividend	$0.53 payable today	$0.817 declared, pays 09/22/2026
Ex-dividend date	09/15/2026	09/18/2026

Bottom lineChoose IDV if you want higher current income (4.85% vs 3.17% for VYMI). Choose VYMI if you want a quality-dividend tilt rather than the whole market.

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Income calculator

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

iShares

ETFs466

Total AUM$4551B

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

iShares is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for offering a broad, diversified lineup of exchange-traded funds across multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company operates 215 funds spanning 15 distinct families, including popular offerings in dividend income, covered call strategies, bonds, equities, ESG-focused investments, and factor-based approaches, with widely-held tickers like AGG (bond), ACWI (global equity), and AOA (allocation). iShares is characterized by its comprehensive fund ecosystem that serves both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies, making it a prominent player for investors seeking both traditional and alternative income-generating ETF solutions.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on IDV.

See all iShares ETFs

Vanguard

ETFs116

Total AUM$4663B

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 VYMI.

See all Vanguard ETFs

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Quick verdict

IDV (iShares International Select Dividend ETF) and VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

IDV offers the higher yield at 4.85% vs 3.17% for VYMI. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

VYMI is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.07% compared to 0.50%.

They have different reference exposures: IDV is linked to Dow Jones EPAC Select Dividend Index while VYMI is linked to FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

VYMI is the larger fund by assets ($21.8B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Who should choose each?

Choose IDV

iShares International Select Dividend ETF

Want higher current income — IDV yields 4.85% vs 3.17% for VYMI.
Want a quality-dividend tilt — screened payers rather than the broad index.

Choose VYMI

Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF

Want a quality-dividend tilt — screened payers rather than the broad index.
Want to keep costs low — a 0.07% expense ratio vs 0.50% for IDV.

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

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Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, IDV would generate roughly $40.42/month, while VYMI would produce $26.42/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

IDV yield4.85%

VYMI yield3.17%

Monthly diff on $10K$14.00

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, IDV would cost approximately $500 in fees vs $70 for VYMI (simplified, not compounded). The $430.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

IDV ER0.50%

VYMI ER0.07%

Strategy & risk

IDV tracks Dow Jones EPAC Select Dividend Index, while VYMI tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index.

IDV beta0.71

VYMI beta0.71

Fund details

IDV is managed by iShares (launched 06/11/2007) with $8.56B in assets. VYMI is managed by Vanguard (launched 02/25/2016) with $21.8B in assets.

IDV AUM$8.56B

VYMI AUM$21.8B

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Frequently asked questions

What is the current distribution rate for IDV and VYMI?

IDV currently distributes 4.85% and VYMI 3.17%, based on fund data updated September 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is IDV or VYMI better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. IDV 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.

What is the difference between IDV and VYMI?

IDV (iShares International Select Dividend ETF) tracks Dow Jones EPAC Select Dividend Index, while VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF) tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. They are issued by iShares and Vanguard respectively.

Can I hold both IDV and VYMI?

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 IDV or VYMI safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — they are effectively tied: VYMI scores 88, IDV scores 87. Neither has a clear safety edge on that measure. No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, IDV or VYMI?

IDV has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VYMI charges 0.07%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in IDV vs VYMI generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in IDV would generate roughly $40.42 per month ($485.00 annually). The same in VYMI would produce about $26.42 per month ($317.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, IDV or VYMI?

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IDV vs VYMI — at a glance

Generated September 19, 2026.

Overview

IDV and VYMI are both index-tracking ETFs that invest in high-dividend-paying international equities ex-US, but they differ in index choice, cost, yield, and asset size. The funds serve similar income-focused international equity mandates but with meaningfully different yield profiles and fee structures.

How they differ

The biggest structural difference is yield and expense ratio: IDV offers 4.85% against an 0.50% expense ratio, while VYMI delivers 3.17% with a 0.07% expense ratio. That 1.68 percentage-point yield gap is substantial, though it reflects different index methodologies—the Dow Jones index appears to screen for higher current payers, while the FTSE index balances yield with broader quality factors. Second, asset size and fee efficiency diverge sharply. Both funds share identical 0.71 beta, suggesting similar price volatility relative to broader markets, and both distribute quarterly.

Who each is best for

IDV: Investors seeking maximum current income from international high-dividend stocks and willing to accept higher expenses in exchange for a more narrowly targeted dividend strategy focused on EPAC regions.

VYMI: Dividend-focused international equity investors who prioritize lower fees and broader geographic diversification across all developed and emerging markets outside the US, even if it means accepting a modestly lower yield.

Key risks to know

Index concentration and dividend sustainability: Both funds screen for high current yield, which may concentrate holdings among sectors or stocks with elevated payout ratios. If dividend cuts materialize across holdings, NAV pressure could follow. IDV's higher 4.85% yield suggests tighter screening and may carry elevated reinvestment or sustainability risk.

Currency exposure without hedging: Both ETFs hold unhedged international equities, so strength in the US dollar can drag returns independent of underlying stock performance. Dividend income denominated in foreign currencies faces the same headwind.

Geographic and sector overlap risk: IDV and VYMI may hold overlapping positions in high-yielding international companies. Investors combining both funds should verify the degree of overlap to avoid unintended concentration.

Beta alone does not capture international equity risk: While both report 0.71 beta, that figure reflects price correlation relative to a US benchmark and does not capture geopolitical, regulatory, or economic risks specific to European, Pacific, or emerging-market holdings.

Bottom line

If you want the highest current yield from international dividends and accept higher fees, IDV's 4.85% and index focus appeal; if you prioritize cost efficiency and broader global diversification with acceptable yield, VYMI's 0.07% expense ratio and $21.8B in assets offer scale and lower drag. Past performance does not predict future results, and dividend sustainability varies by market and cycle.

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

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