Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: DGRW is ratedTier 1 (Cornerstone)while VYM is ratedTier 2 (Yield Plus).DGRW is structurally lower risk than VYM.
| Metric | DGRW | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 12.72% | 13.38% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 9.67% | 10.85% |
| Max Drawdown | -22.15% | -23.21% |
| Beta | - | 0.82 |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
DGRW (WisdomTree US Dividend Growth) is a conservative dividend growth fund managed by WisdomTree. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $15.9B in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Focuses on quality dividend-paying companies with strong balance sheets and consistent payout histories.
VYM (Vanguard High Div Yield) is a conservative dividend growth fund managed by Vanguard. It tracks the FTSE High Dividend Yield index across approximately 530 positions. With $84.5B in assets under management, this fund has been operational since Nov 2006.
Strategy: Focuses on quality dividend-paying companies with strong balance sheets and consistent payout histories.
In the head-to-head battle of DGRW vs VYM, the choice depends on your specific goal. DGRW wins for Immediate Income with a 3.05% yield. However, VYM is the better choice for Long-Term Growth due to superior total return performance.
Which fund is safer for retirement income? We analyze the yield sustainability and structural risk.
The Bottom Line Question: If you invest $100,000 today, how much cash will you actually receive each month? Here's the exact math:
DGRW
Annual Yield: 3.05%
$254/mo
($3,054/year)
Frequency: monthly
VYM
Annual Yield: 2.53%
$211/mo
($2,526/year)
Frequency: quarterly
Income Gap: DGRW generates $528/year more than VYM on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $10,555 in additional cash flow (before reinvestment).
Context Matters: Higher income doesn't always mean better investment. Review the "Yield Trap" and "Total Return" sections above—you want income that's sustainable, not just headline-grabbing.
Historical data reveals how these funds behave during market stress. VYM has delivered a superior Total Return of 13.38% over the past year.
What is Max Drawdown? Max drawdown measures the largest peak-to-trough decline in portfolio value during a specific period. Unlike NAV change (which only looks at start vs. end), max drawdown captures the worst moment of pain an investor experienced.
Real-World Scenario: $100,000 Investment
DGRW (More Resilient)
Max Drawdown: -22.15%
-$22,150
Worst unrealized loss
VYM (More Volatile)
Max Drawdown: -23.21%
-$23,210
Worst unrealized loss
Protection Value: DGRW saved investors $1,060 in drawdown severity on a $100k position.
Why This Matters More Than Total Return: During bear markets or corrections, investors with lower max drawdown are:
⚖️ Capital Preservation Winner: DGRW demonstrated superior downside protection, making it the better choice for retirees who cannot afford steep temporary losses.
What is an Expense Ratio? The annual fee charged by the fund, expressed as a percentage of assets. It's deducted daily from the fund's NAV, making it invisible to most investors—but it compounds over time.
VYM (LOWER COST)
0.060%
Annual expense ratio
DGRW (HIGHER COST)
0.280%
Annual expense ratio
20-YEAR FEE IMPACT SIMULATION ($100,000 INITIAL INVESTMENT)
The Hidden Cost of "Just 0.22%": That seemingly small difference of 0.220% annually becomes $4,400 in lost wealth over 20 years. Factor in compound growth, and you're giving up ~$12,914 in potential portfolio value.
💡 Cost Efficiency Winner: VYM is the clear winner for long-term buy-and-hold investors. Lower fees mean more capital compounds in YOUR account, not the fund manager's.
Every investor has a unique risk profile. Use our Portfolio Intelligence tool to see the impact of adding these ETFs to your holdings.