HF vs VYM
DGA Core Plus Absolute Return ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, HF or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 76.3%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | HF | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.70% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $21M | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.88% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 37 | 610 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.3%Best | 12.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -4.3%Best | -9.1% |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $11,548 | $12,528Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 76.3% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Days Global Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 2, 2023 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 701 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. HF has data through Dec 12, 2024 and VYM through Nov 13, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 3, 2023 to Dec 12, 2024 (1.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.1% compared with 7.3% for HF. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -4.3% for HF and -9.1% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.57. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HF charges 1.70% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $170 vs $4 annually, a gap of $166 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HF currently yields 0.88% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
3.4% of HF's money is in holdings VYM also owns.
HF and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 64 days apart, HF as of Nov 3, 2026 and VYM as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 18 positions we hold weights for in HF and 602 in VYM, against full books of 37 and 610.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 575 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for HF (98.6% of the fund), and 16 for HF that do not appear in VYM (93.2%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in HF | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SFNCSimmons First National Corp Class A | 3.41% | 0.01% | 3.40% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HF and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, HF or VYM?
HF has an expense ratio of 1.70% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $166 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, HF or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 12.1% annualized versus 7.3% for HF. Worst drawdown: HF -4.3% vs VYM -9.1%.
Should I hold both HF and VYM?
HF and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.57, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between HF and VYM?
3.4% of HF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.0% of VYM's is in holdings HF also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 18 positions we hold weights for in HF and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, HF or VYM?
HF yields 0.88% while VYM yields 2.23%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than HF?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 76.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.