First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) is a ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SDVY returned +24.79% while VYM returned +26.05%. Year to date, SDVY is up 15.87% versus a gain of 15.45% for VYM.

Over three years, SDVY compounded at +15.50% per year against +17.96% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +10.94% and +12.54% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, SDVY has the edge at +10.86% annualized vs +7.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

SDVY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.1% compared with 14.6% for VYM. 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 -45.2% for SDVY and -58.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.

SDVY charges 0.58% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $58 vs $4 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SDVY currently yields 0.92% against 2.86% for VYM.