Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is a ETF from Vanguard (US) and NYLI Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF (WRND) is a ETF from INDEXIQ ETF TRUST. Over the past year VYM returned +25.99% while WRND returned +32.27%. Year to date, VYM is up 15.57% versus a gain of 16.40% for WRND.

Over three years, VYM compounded at +18.02% per year against +21.23% for WRND. Across the full 5-year window we track, WRND has the edge at +14.70% annualized vs +7.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

WRND has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% 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 -58.8% for VYM and -27.2% for WRND. 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

VYM charges 0.04% per year while WRND charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $18 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VYM currently yields 2.86% against 0.92% for WRND.