Dividend comparison
VYMI vs VIGI: Which Is Better for Income?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF and Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
- Fees. Both charge about 0.07% a year, so cost is not what separates them.
- Income. VYMI pays more income, yielding 3.64% over the last twelve months versus 2.14% for VIGI. That is about $150 more a year on $10,000. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, VYMI returned 79.0% versus 23.8% for VIGI, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $17,898 in VYMI and $12,384 in VIGI.
- Risk. VIGI has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -27.7%, against -24.1% for VYMI.
- Diversification. VYMI holds 1,561 positions and VIGI holds 354. The ten largest positions make up 13.7% of VYMI and 35.8% of VIGI.
- Overlap. At least 12% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 14 shared holdings. They mostly own different companies, so they can complement each other.
- Dividend growth. VYMI grew its yearly payout 3.5% a year over the last 4 years, versus -24.4% for VIGI.
- Size. VYMI is the larger fund with $22.3 billion in assets, against $9.2 billion for VIGI.
Bottom line: VYMI has the edge on these figures, with more income today, stronger 5-year returns, smaller drawdowns, faster dividend growth and broader diversification. VIGI does not lead on any of the measures compared here.
| Metric | VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF | VIGI Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 3.64% | 2.14% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $3.72 | $2.09 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $0.8170 on Sep 22, 2026 | $0.4579 on Sep 22, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 18, 2026 | Sep 18, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 3.5% over 4 yrs | -24.4% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $102.16 | $97.40 |
| Dividend growth streak | 3 years | 2 years |
| Beta | 0.74 | 0.69 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -24.1% | -27.7% |
| Market cap | $22.34B | $9.20B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| Expense ratio | 0.07% | 0.07% |
| Assets under management | $22.30B | $9.20B |
| Number of holdings | 1561 | 354 |
| Top 10 concentration | 13.7% | 35.8% |
VYMI
$30.35/mo
$364 /yr at 3.64% yield
VIGI
$17.87/mo
$214 /yr at 2.14% yield
| Year | VYMI | VIGI |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3.3151 | $1.9597 |
| 2024 | $3.2859 | $1.5436 |
| 2023 | $3.0473 | $1.5263 |
| 2022 | $2.8024 | $1.4342 |
| 2021 | $2.8868 | $5.9933 |
Expect stretches of underperformance versus the broad market whenever leadership comes from the high-growth, low-yield companies these screens exclude.
What VYMI vs VIGI actually do
It tracks a FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield index, covering developed and emerging markets and screening on forecast dividend yield in the same way as the US version. Non-US markets carry a structurally higher payout culture, so the headline yield generally runs above US dividend funds, and the sector mix leans toward financials, energy and materials rather than US-style consumer and technology names. Two mechanical consequences matter: distributions are lumpier because many foreign companies pay once or twice a year rather than quarterly, and foreign withholding tax is deducted at source, recoverable as a foreign tax credit in a taxable account but simply lost inside an IRA.
Suits an investor adding geographic diversification to a US-heavy income portfolio and willing to accept currency swings. A poor fit inside a tax-deferred account, where the foreign tax credit cannot be claimed, and for anyone who needs an even payment every quarter.
International dividend income
| Period | VYMI | VIGI |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -0.94% | 1.42% |
| 3 months | 1.26% | 2.41% |
| Year to date | 13.51% | 6.51% |
| 1 year | 19.64% | 6.55% |
| 3 years | 86.42% | 45.05% |
| 5 years | 78.98% | 23.84% |
- VYMI
- VIGI
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
- VYMI
- VIGI
| Largest shared holdings | VYMI weight | VIGI weight |
|---|---|---|
| ROP.SWRoche Holding AG | 1.55% | 3.38% |
| RY.TORoyal Bank of Canada | 1.46% | 4.59% |
| NOVN.SWNovartis AG | 1.41% | 3.27% |
| 8306.TMitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc | 1.34% | 4.93% |
| NESN.SWNestle SA | 1.24% | 3.43% |
| TD.TOToronto-Dominion Bank/The | 1.03% | 3.45% |
| 8316.TSumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc | 0.85% | 3.01% |
| IBE.MCIberdrola SA | 0.83% | 2.50% |
| NOVO-B.CONovo Nordisk A/S | 0.64% | 2.15% |
| CM.TOCanadian Imperial Bank of Commerce | 0.54% | 1.79% |
VYMI1561 holdings total
VIGI354 holdings total
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| 8306.TMitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc | 4.93% |
| RY.TORoyal Bank of Canada | 4.59% |
| SAP.DESAP SE | 3.80% |
| TD.TOToronto-Dominion Bank/The | 3.45% |
| NESN.SWNestle SA | 3.43% |
| ROP.SWRoche Holding AG | 3.38% |
| NOVN.SWNovartis AG | 3.27% |
| SU.PASchneider Electric SE | 3.18% |
| 8316.TSumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc | 3.01% |
| 6501.THitachi Ltd | 2.80% |
Quick verdict
VYMI has the edge on these figures, with more income today, stronger 5-year returns, smaller drawdowns, faster dividend growth and broader diversification. VIGI does not lead on any of the measures compared here. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
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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.