A head-to-head comparison of iShares International Dividend Growth ETF and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
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 IGRO.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
Vanguard is known for offering low-cost, passively managed ETFs that emphasize broad market exposure and long-term investing. The company operates 175 ETFs across diverse fund families including Index, Bond, Equity, Dividend, Income, International, Factor, and ESG strategies, serving investors with various goals from core portfolio building to specialized income generation. Notable for its scale and popular tickers like VB (total U.S. small-cap), BND (total bond market), and VBIAX (international bonds), Vanguard focuses on providing comprehensive, index-based investment solutions with an emphasis on cost efficiency and accessibility.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on VYMI.
Seeks to track the investment results of the Morningstar Global ex-US Dividend Growth Index, which measures the performance of non-U.S. developed and emerging market equities with a history of consistently growing dividends. Companies must have a payout ratio below 75% and are excluded if they fall in the top decile based on dividend yield.
Dividend Income
Asset class
Equity
Equity
Inception date
05/17/2016
02/25/2016
Beta
0.74
0.74
Last dividend
$1.1940
$1.2570
Ex-dividend date
06/15/2026
06/18/2026
Bottom lineIGRO and VYMI are nearly interchangeable — both offer very similar international dividend exposure with very similar cost and risk. The clearest tie-breaker is cost: IGRO is cheaper at 0.15% vs 0.22%.
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Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Quick verdict
IGRO (iShares International Dividend Growth ETF) and VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
IGRO offers the higher yield at 5.34% vs 4.99% for VYMI. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
IGRO is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.15% compared to 0.22%.
They track different benchmarks: IGRO is linked to Morningstar Global ex-US Dividend Growth Index while VYMI tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index, which means their performance drivers differ.
VYMI is the larger fund by assets ($19.7B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, IGRO would generate roughly $44.50/month, while VYMI would produce $41.58/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
IGRO yield5.34%
VYMI yield4.99%
Monthly diff on $10K$2.92
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, IGRO would cost approximately $150 in fees vs $220 for VYMI (simplified, not compounded). The $70.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
IGRO ER0.15%
VYMI ER0.22%
Strategy & risk
IGRO tracks Morningstar Global ex-US Dividend Growth Index, while VYMI tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index with a dividend income approach.
IGRO beta0.74
VYMI beta0.74
Fund details
IGRO is managed by iShares (launched 05/17/2016) with $1.25B in assets. VYMI is managed by Vanguard (launched 02/25/2016) with $19.7B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Is IGRO or VYMI better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. IGRO 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 IGRO and VYMI?
IGRO (iShares International Dividend Growth ETF) tracks Morningstar Global ex-US Dividend Growth Index, while VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF) tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index with a dividend income approach. They are issued by iShares and Vanguard respectively.
Can I hold both IGRO 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.
Which has lower fees, IGRO or VYMI?
IGRO has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VYMI charges 0.22%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in IGRO vs VYMI generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in IGRO would generate roughly $44.50 per month ($534.00 annually). The same in VYMI would produce about $41.58 per month ($499.00 annually).
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