PDI vs VYM: ETF Comparison
Compare PDI (PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) side by side by average annual total return since inception — one fair number covering price and dividends.
Updated Sep 15, 2026
*For entertainment purposes ONLY! NOT financial advice! Data may be inaccurate.*
PDI vs VYM: The Verdict
On average annual total return since inception, VYM is virtually tied with PDI — +9.3% vs +9.2%. With a gap this small, the deciding factors are more likely to be yield, payout schedule, and how each strategy fits your goals than raw performance.
Keep the track records in mind: VYM has been trading for 19.8 years, while PDI has only 14.3 years of history. A shorter track record means the younger fund's average has been shaped by fewer market environments — one strong or weak stretch moves the needle more.
Income investors will notice the yield gap: PDI currently yields 16.10% vs VYM's 2.5%. Higher yield often comes with trade-offs in price appreciation, which is exactly why total return is the fairer scoreboard.
PDI vs VYM Side-by-Side Data
| Symbol | Name | Provider | Inception | Age | Total Return | Avg. Annual Return | Yield | Expense Ratio | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PDI | PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund | Pimco | 5/25/2012 | 14.3y | +252.0% | +9.2% | 16.10% | 1.10% | C |
| VYM | Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Vanguard | 11/10/2006 | 19.8y | +485.0% | +9.3% | 2.5% | 0.04% | A |
PDI vs VYM — Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, PDI or VYM?
By average annual total return since inception, VYM is virtually tied with PDI (+9.3% vs +9.2% per year). "Better" depends on your goals — yield, payout frequency, and strategy differ between the two funds.
What is the difference between PDI and VYM?
PDI (PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund) is offered by Pimco and currently yields 16.10%. VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) is offered by Vanguard and yields 2.5%. Their average annual total returns since inception are +9.2% and +9.3% respectively.
Does VYM pay a higher dividend than PDI?
VYM currently yields 2.5% and PDI yields 16.10%. Remember that yield alone doesn't capture performance — total return (price + dividends) is the fairer comparison.