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Dividend Vision

ETF Comparison

VYM vs VYMI: Domestic or International High Dividend Yield?

A head-to-head comparison of Vanguard's US and ex-US high-dividend-yield index funds covering yield, cost, concentration, and currency exposure.

Data updated August 19, 2026

Best for

  • VYMInvestors who want simple, diversified core exposure in one low-cost fund.
  • VYMIInvestors who want higher current income (4.84% vs 2.37% for VYM).

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

VYM has lagged VYMI over the trailing twelve months, posting a 23.69% total return against 29.22%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — VYM has compounded at 11.82% a year, ahead of VYMI at 10.74%. 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.
SymbolYTD1Y3Y5Y10YSince Mar 2016Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
VYM15.60%23.69%19.07%12.42%11.82%12.39%12.5%1.041.51-14.5%
VYMI17.19%29.22%24.35%14.09%10.74%11.35%13.7%1.271.85-12.8%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of August 19, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Mar 2016” measures every fund from March 2, 2016 — the youngest fund's first trading day — 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.
MetricVYMVYMI
Full nameVanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF SharesVanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF
IssuerVanguardVanguard
Last Close$165.55 as of August 19, 2026$103.98 as of August 19, 2026
Distribution yield2.37%4.84%
Distribution Safety Score™ 9588
Expense ratio0.04%0.07%
AUM$84.3B$21.4B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
Underlying indexFTSE High Dividend Yield IndexFTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index
ObjectiveSeeks to track the performance of the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, which offers exposure to dividend-paying large-cap companies that exhibit value characteristics within the U.S. equity market. The index includes stocks with a history of paying above-average dividends.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 classEquityEquity
Inception date11/10/200602/25/2016
Beta0.680.73
Last dividend$0.9800$1.2570
Ex-dividend date06/18/202606/18/2026

Bottom lineChoose VYM if you want simple, diversified core exposure in one low-cost fund. Choose VYMI if you want higher current income (4.84% vs 2.37% for VYM).

Same screen, different side of the border

VYM and VYMI run Vanguard's high-dividend-yield screen on opposite halves of the world. This is less a pick-the-better-fund question than a decision about whether your dividend sleeve should carry US or international exposure — and what each side adds.

VYMVYMI
UniverseUS large and mid capsDeveloped and emerging markets outside the US
Currency exposureUS dollars onlyUnhedged foreign currencies; moves with the dollar
Dividend tax wrinkleStandard US treatmentForeign withholding can apply; partly recoverable in taxable accounts (not tax advice)
Distribution yield2.37%4.84%
Expense ratio0.04%0.07%
Portfolio roleDomestic dividend coreInternational diversifier for the same strategy
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Income calculator

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

Vanguard
ETFs116
Total AUM$4703B

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 VYM and VYMI.

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Quick verdict

VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares) and VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

VYMI offers the higher yield at 4.84% vs 2.37% for VYM. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

VYM is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.04% compared to 0.07%.

They track different benchmarks: VYM is linked to FTSE High Dividend Yield Index while VYMI tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

VYM is the larger fund by assets ($84.3B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Who should choose each?

Choose VYM

Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares

  • Want simple, diversified core exposure as a portfolio building block.
  • Want to keep costs low — a 0.04% expense ratio vs 0.07% for VYMI.

Choose VYMI

Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF

  • Want higher current income — VYMI yields 4.84% vs 2.37% for VYM.
  • Want a quality-dividend tilt — screened payers rather than the broad index.

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, VYM would generate roughly $19.75/month, while VYMI would produce $40.33/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

VYM yield2.37%
VYMI yield4.84%
Monthly diff on $10K$20.58

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, VYM would cost approximately $40 in fees vs $70 for VYMI (simplified, not compounded). The $30.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

VYM ER0.04%
VYMI ER0.07%

Strategy & risk

VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, while VYMI tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. Beta is 0.68 for VYM and 0.73 for VYMI — effectively similar market sensitivity.

VYM beta0.68
VYMI beta0.73

Fund details

VYM is managed by Vanguard (launched 11/10/2006) with $84.3B in assets. VYMI is managed by Vanguard (launched 02/25/2016) with $21.4B in assets.

VYM AUM$84.3B
VYMI AUM$21.4B
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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between VYM and VYMI?

Same Vanguard high-dividend screen, opposite sides of the border. VYM applies it to US large and mid caps; VYMI applies it to developed and emerging markets outside the US. VYMI therefore adds two risks VYM does not carry: currency and foreign tax. Its holdings are priced in foreign currencies and the fund does not hedge, so a strong dollar can offset local gains. Dividends can also face foreign withholding, part of which may be recoverable as a credit in taxable accounts depending on your situation (not tax advice). In exchange, VYMI diversifies away single-country risk and currently distributes 4.84% against 2.37% for VYM, at expense ratios of 0.07% and 0.04%, as of August 2026.

What is the current distribution yield for VYM and VYMI?

VYM currently distributes 2.37% and VYMI 4.84%, based on fund data updated August 2026. Distribution yield moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is VYM or VYMI better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. VYMI 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 VYM 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 VYM 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 — VYM scores 95, VYMI scores 88, so VYM'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, VYM or VYMI?

VYM has an expense ratio of 0.04% 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 VYM vs VYMI generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in VYM would generate roughly $19.75 per month ($237.00 annually). The same in VYMI would produce about $40.33 per month ($484.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, VYM or VYMI?

VYM has lagged VYMI over the trailing twelve months, posting a 23.69% total return against 29.22%. The picture flips over 10 years, though — VYM has compounded at 11.82% a year, ahead of VYMI at 10.74%. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

VYM vs VYMI — at a glance

Generated August 15, 2026.

Figures quoted in this analysis are from its generation date and may lag the live snapshot table above, which always shows the latest data.

Overview

VYM and VYMI are both Vanguard dividend-focused equity ETFs tracking FTSE High Dividend Yield indexes, but they cover completely different geographic regions. VYM targets U.S. large-cap dividend payers via the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, while VYMI covers developed and emerging markets outside the U.S. through the FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. The distinction matters: one is a domestic value play, the other is international diversification with significantly higher yield.

How they differ

The fundamental split is geographic: VYM holds only U.S. stocks, VYMI excludes the U.S. entirely and focuses on international markets. This creates the second big difference—yield. VYMI distributes 4.81% annually versus VYM's 2.35%, reflecting both the higher dividend payout culture in some developed-market economies and the valuation characteristics of international high-dividend stocks. Third, VYMI carries slightly higher beta at 0.73 compared to VYM's 0.68, suggesting somewhat greater sensitivity to market moves. Both charge minimal fees (0.06% and 0.07% expense ratios, respectively) and trade quarterly distributions. VYM is substantially larger with $83.4B in AUM versus VYMI's $21.1B.

Who each is best for

VYM: Fits investors seeking a low-cost, broad U.S. large-cap dividend strategy with lower volatility and the benefit of a mature, liquid domestic equity market.

VYMI: Fits investors building a globally diversified portfolio who want to reduce home-country concentration and capture higher dividend yields from developed and emerging international markets.

Key risks to know

  • Currency risk in VYMI: Returns depend partly on currency fluctuations between the dollar and foreign currencies held in the portfolio. A stronger dollar erodes reported returns even if the underlying stocks perform well.
  • International market and political risk in VYMI: Developed and emerging markets face different regulatory, geopolitical, and economic risks than the U.S.; economic slowdowns or policy shifts in Europe, Asia, or elsewhere can weigh on holdings more than domestic factors affect VYM.
  • Higher yield sustainability in VYMI: The 4.81% distribution rate is roughly double VYM's, raising the question of whether it relies more heavily on return-of-capital or share buybacks versus underlying earnings growth. Index composition can shift toward lower-quality high-dividend stocks during market dislocations.
  • Limited overlap likely reduces diversification benefit: The two funds hold completely different geographies, so holding both does not provide protection against sector-wide or economy-wide U.S. downturns, nor insulate you from international equity weakness.

Bottom line

If your portfolio already has broad U.S. equity exposure and you want to add international diversification with higher income, VYMI fills a different slot; if you're building a U.S.-only dividend income strategy with low volatility, VYM offers simplicity and size. Neither choice depends on account type or tax treatment—the real decision is whether you want geographic diversification and higher yield (VYMI) or domestic concentration and lower volatility (VYM). Past performance doesn't 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

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