SGOV vs VYM: ETF Comparison
Compare SGOV (iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF) 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.*
SGOV vs VYM: The Verdict
On average annual total return since inception, VYM holds a clear edge over SGOV: +9.3% per year vs +2.9% per year — a gap of 6.4 percentage points annually. Total return counts both price movement and dividends, so this is the whole picture of each fund's performance, not just yield.
Keep the track records in mind: VYM has been trading for 19.8 years, while SGOV has only 6.3 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: SGOV currently yields 3.50% 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.
SGOV vs VYM Side-by-Side Data
| Symbol | Name | Provider | Inception | Age | Total Return | Avg. Annual Return | Yield | Expense Ratio | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SGOV | iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | iShares | 5/26/2020 | 6.3y | +20.0% | +2.9% | 3.50% | 0.09% | C |
| VYM | Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | Vanguard | 11/10/2006 | 19.8y | +485.0% | +9.3% | 2.5% | 0.04% | A |
SGOV vs VYM — Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, SGOV or VYM?
By average annual total return since inception, VYM holds a clear edge over SGOV (+9.3% vs +2.9% per year). "Better" depends on your goals — yield, payout frequency, and strategy differ between the two funds.
What is the difference between SGOV and VYM?
SGOV (iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF) is offered by iShares and currently yields 3.50%. VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) is offered by Vanguard and yields 2.5%. Their average annual total returns since inception are +2.9% and +9.3% respectively.
Does VYM pay a higher dividend than SGOV?
VYM currently yields 2.5% and SGOV yields 3.50%. Remember that yield alone doesn't capture performance — total return (price + dividends) is the fairer comparison.