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$VYM

Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF

Total return is comfortably ahead of the distribution rate — this fund has been growing capital while paying you.

Distribution Yield

2.5%

annualized

Total Return

485%

since inception

Annualized Return

9.31%

average per year

Inception

11/10/2006

19.8 years live

Scorecard Rank

#56

of 169 funds

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🎯 How VYM Scored

We grade on total return, not headline yield. A fund that pays 40% while losing 30% of its price is not doing its job.

Annualized return strength29 / 50

Average yearly total return of 9.31% since inception.

Cumulative total return25 / 25

485% in total return since the fund launched.

Yield backed by returns25 / 25

Compares the 2.5% distribution rate against 9.31% annualized return. Higher is healthier.

🧮 VYM Income & Growth Calculator

Enter what you'd invest. We'll show the income at the current distribution rate and project growth at the fund's historical annualized return.

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Projections use VYM's historical annualized total return of 9.31% and its current 2.5% distribution rate, both held flat. Real returns will differ, distributions can be cut, and past performance does not predict future results. Taxes, fees, and return of capital are not modeled. For entertainment only — not financial advice.

🥊 VYM Head-to-Head

See how VYM stacks up against the funds investors compare it with most, measured on average annual total return since inception.

Browse all 300+ ETF matchups →

💵 Similar Yield to VYM

Other funds paying in the 0–3% range, ranked by our scorecard.

Symbol	Name	Yield	Annualized	Grade
VFLO	VictoryShares Free Cash Flow ETF	1.3%	30.36%	A+
SCHG	Schwab U.S. Growth ETF	0.4%	16.36%	A+
DGRO	iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	2.0%	12.39%	A+
DGRW	WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund	1.5%	13.06%	A+
FDVV	Fidelity High Dividend ETF	2.8%	13.50%	A+
VOO	Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.1%	14.88%	A+
NOBL	ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF	2.1%	10.43%	A
VIG	Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF	1.6%	10.11%	A
SDY	SPDR S&P Dividend ETF	2.6%	8.90%	A-
IACL	GraniteShares US 100 Autocallable Income ETF	0%	0.00%	F
VOOY	XFUNDS Large Cap Income ETF	0%	-21.05%	F
BATT	Amplify Lithium & Battery Technology ETF	2.2%	-1.53%	F

🏆 Highest Annualized Returns

The strongest average annual total returns since inception across every fund we track.

#	Symbol	Name	Yield	Annualized
1	CHPY	YieldMax Semiconductor Portfolio Option Income ETF	40%	89.24%
2	GOOW	Roundhill GOOGL WeeklyPay ETF	27.0%	75.90%
3	PLTY	YieldMax PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF	40%	69.40%
4	AHD	GraniteShares Autocallable HOOD ETF	26%	59.68%
5	TMGN	TappAlpha Cboe Magnificent 10 Growth & Daily Income ETF	21%	56.76%
6	NVDY	YieldMax NVDA Option Income Strategy ETF	40%	55.57%
7	HOOY	YieldMax HOOD Option Income Strategy ETF	101%	54.72%
8	SOXY	YieldMax® Target 12™ Semiconductor Option Income ETF	12%	52.69%
9	NVII	REX NVDA Growth & Income ETF	34%	49.64%
10	AMDY	YieldMax AMD Option Income Strategy ETF	46%	46.24%
11	SNOY	YieldMax SNOW Option Income Strategy ETF	61%	45.81%
12	XLEI	State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	21.0%	35.46%
13	TDAX	TappAlpha TDAQ LIFT ETF	20%	35.07%
14	MAXI	Simplify Bitcoin Strategy PLUS Income ETF	9.0%	31.27%
15	VFLO	VictoryShares Free Cash Flow ETF	1.3%	30.36%

❓ VYM FAQ

What is the dividend yield of VYM?

VYM currently shows a distribution yield of 2.5%. Yield reflects the most recent distribution annualized and can change with every payment.

What is the total return of VYM since inception?

VYM has returned 485% in total since it launched on 11/10/2006, which works out to roughly 9.31% per year on average.

Is the VYM yield sustainable?

Total return is comfortably ahead of the distribution rate — this fund has been growing capital while paying you. A distribution rate that runs persistently ahead of total return generally means capital is being returned rather than earned.

How is the VYM grade calculated?

Our A- grade combines three things: annualized total return (50 points), cumulative total return since inception (25 points), and whether annualized return keeps pace with the distribution rate (25 points). VYM scored 79 out of 100. This is our opinion only, not investment advice.