HDV vs VYM: which was the better investment?
iShares Core High Dividend ETF against Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Mar 31, 2011 to Aug 28, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did HDV beat VYM?
No — measured from Mar 31, 2011 to Aug 28, 2026 with dividends reinvested, VYM came out ahead: $59,091 versus $49,806 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 12.2% annual return against 11.0%.
What would $10,000 in HDV be worth today?
$10,000 invested in iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) on Mar 31, 2011 would be worth about $49,806 as of Aug 28, 2026, a total return of 398.1% (11.0% per year). The same $10,000 in VYM would be worth $59,091.
Which was riskier — HDV or VYM?
HDV swung with an annualized volatility of 14.6% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -37.0%; VYM ran at 15.4% volatility with a -35.2% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.62 for HDV vs 0.66 for VYM.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Mar 31, 2011 through Aug 28, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with HDV vs VYM. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.