Dividend comparison

VYM vs DIVB: Which Is Better for Income?

Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF and iShares Core Dividend ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.

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VYM vs DIVB: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
  • Fees. VYM is cheaper at 0.04% a year versus 0.05% for DIVB. On $10,000 that is $1 a year less in fees.
  • Income. VYM pays more income, yielding 2.28% over the last twelve months versus 2.13% for DIVB. That is about $15 more a year on $10,000. Both pay quarterly.
  • Performance. Over the last 5 years, DIVB returned 87.2% versus 67.0% for VYM, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $18,719 in DIVB and $16,701 in VYM.
  • Risk. DIVB has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -21.1%, against -15.8% for VYM.
  • Diversification. VYM holds 589 positions and DIVB holds 381.
  • Dividend growth. DIVB grew its yearly payout 17.4% a year over the last 4 years, versus 3.1% for VYM.
  • Size. VYM is the larger fund with $95.8 billion in assets, against $2.1 billion for DIVB.

Bottom line: VYM fits better if you care most about smaller drawdowns and broader diversification. DIVB fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth.

Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
MetricVYM
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
DIVB
iShares Core Dividend ETF
Dividend yield (TTM)2.28%2.13%
Dividend / share (TTM)$3.68$1.48
Payout frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
Last dividend$0.8869 on Sep 22, 2026$0.4242 on Sep 18, 2026
Ex-dividend dateSep 18, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Dividend growth (CAGR)3.1% over 4 yrs17.4% over 4 yrs
Price$161.15$69.69
Dividend growth streak15 years1 year
Beta0.750.88
Max drawdown (5Y)-15.8%-21.1%
Market cap$95.79B$1.59B
ExchangeAMEXCBOE
Expense ratio0.04%0.05%
Assets under management$95.80B$2.14B
Number of holdings589381
Top 10 concentration26.2%—
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.

VYM

$19.01/mo

$228 /yr at 2.28% yield

DIVB

$17.73/mo

$213 /yr at 2.13% yield

Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. VYM pays quarterly; DIVB pays quarterly.
YearVYMDIVB
2025$3.5008$1.3281
2024$3.4945$1.2369
2023$3.4780$1.3070
2022$3.2518$0.7584
2021$3.0961$0.6990
Strategy: Dividend equity
Rules-based equity funds that screen for companies paying sustainable or rising dividends, aiming at income plus long-term share-price participation. The screen is what defines the fund: yield-ranked indexes deliver more cash now, dividend-growth indexes deliberately exclude the highest payers in favor of durability. Both approaches produce a sector mix that looks nothing like the broad market, typically heavier in financials, healthcare, staples and industrials.

Expect stretches of underperformance versus the broad market whenever leadership comes from the high-growth, low-yield companies these screens exclude.

What VYM vs DIVB actually do

VYM
A broad index fund holding the higher-yielding side of the US dividend-paying market, several hundred companies deep.

It tracks the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, which ranks US dividend payers by forecast yield, excludes REITs, and works down that ranking until roughly half the market value of the eligible universe is covered. Selection is on yield alone with no quality or growth screen, so the portfolio is wide and diversified but includes some payers a stricter screen would reject. Weighting is by market cap, meaning the biggest dividend-paying companies dominate.

Suits an investor who wants dependable above-market income with maximum breadth and minimum concentration risk. Less suitable if you specifically want dividend growth or a fundamental quality filter, since neither is part of the selection rule.

Core dividend holding

Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $16,701 in VYM and $18,719 in DIVB.
PeriodVYMDIVB
1 month1.19%4.11%
3 months0.62%9.11%
Year to date12.28%31.12%
1 year14.10%33.61%
3 years68.66%101.94%
5 years67.01%87.19%
  • VYM
  • DIVB
77136195202120222023202420252026167187

Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
  • VYM
  • DIVB
0%7%13%20%26%Technology17.5%26.4%Financial Services20.9%17.6%Healthcare14.1%10.5%Energy10.2%9.5%Industrials11.6%7.6%Consumer Defensive8.2%9.8%Consumer Cyclical6.0%5.8%Communication Services3.3%5.3%Utilities5.0%2.5%Basic Materials3.2%1.6%Other0.0%3.4%
Top 10 holdings
Largest positions by portfolio weight.

VYM589 holdings total

NameWeight
AVGOBroadcom Inc6.93%
JPMJPMorgan Chase & Co3.75%
XOMExxonMobil Holdings Corp2.84%
JNJJohnson & Johnson2.71%
ABBVAbbVie Inc1.96%
CSCOCisco Systems Inc1.80%
CVXChevron Corp1.61%
CATCaterpillar Inc1.56%
MRKMerck & Co Inc1.52%
BACBank of America Corp1.50%

Quick verdict

VYM fits better if you care most about smaller drawdowns and broader diversification. DIVB fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.

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Frequently asked questions

Is VYM or DIVB better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. VYM currently yields 2.28% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while DIVB yields 2.13%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between VYM and DIVB?
Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF listed on AMEX. iShares Core Dividend ETF (DIVB) is an ETF listed on CBOE. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, VYM or DIVB?
VYM has the lower expense ratio. VYM charges 0.04% a year and DIVB charges 0.05%, a difference of $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, VYM or DIVB?
Over the last 5 years, DIVB has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: VYM returned 67.0% and DIVB returned 87.2%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, VYM or DIVB?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, DIVB has been riskier: VYM fell as much as 15.8% and DIVB as much as 21.1%. Their betas are 0.75 and 0.88.
How often do VYM and DIVB pay dividends?
Both pay quarterly. The most recent payments were $0.8869 for VYM and $0.4242 for DIVB.
How much income does $10,000 in VYM vs DIVB generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in VYM would generate roughly $19.01 per month ($228 annually). The same amount in DIVB would produce about $17.73 per month ($213 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both VYM and DIVB?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare VYM vs DIVB with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how VYM and DIVB fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.

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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.