CGDV vs VYM: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, VYM yields more: 2.26% (dividend yield) against 1.25% for CGDV. VYM is cheaper to own at 0.04% a year vs 0.33%. Over the same 4 years (Feb 2022 to Oct 2026), CGDV returned 17.0% a year with distributions reinvested, and VYM 12.1%.
VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares2.26%dividend yield| Compared | CGDV | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 1.25% | 2.26% |
| Expense ratio | 0.33% | 0.04% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +15.9% | +19.3% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +25.2% | +20.9% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | — | +11.8% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | — | +12.0% |
| Worst drop since Feb 2022 | -20.5% | -14.1% |
| Share price since Feb 2022 | +94% | +49% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | Capital Group | Vanguard |
| Assets | $39.6B | $100.1B |
| Started | 2022 | 2006 |
| Type | Large Value | Large Value |
Higher yield
VYM
2.26%
Lower cost
VYM
0.04%
Better total return
CGDV
17.0%/yr
Smaller worst drop
VYM
-14.1%
Key facts: CGDV vs VYM
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, CGDV yields 1.25% (dividend yield) and VYM yields 2.26% (dividend yield).
- CGDV's expense ratio is 0.33% and VYM's is 0.04%: $33 vs $4 a year on $10,000.
- From Feb 2022 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in CGDV grew to $20,841 (17.0% a year) and $10,000 in VYM to $17,063 (12.1% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -20.5% for CGDV and -14.1% for VYM.
- 1 of CGDV's top ten holdings are also in VYM's top ten, an overlap of at least 4% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "CGDV vs VYM: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/cgdv-vs-vym
$10,000 in each, Feb 2022 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
CGDV became
$20,841
17.0% a year
VYM became
$17,063
12.1% a year
Year by year
| Year | CGDV | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +25.5% | +15.4% |
| 2024 | +20.1% | +17.6% |
| 2023 | +28.8% | +6.6% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
1 of the top ten overlap, at least 4% of each fund.
CGDV
- MSFT Microsoft Corp8.0%
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp6.3%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc4.4%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A3.7%
- RTX RTX Corp3.3%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A3.2%
- ORCL Oracle Corp3.0%
- GE GE Aerospace2.9%
- CMCSA Comcast Corp Class A2.9%
- BATS.L British American Tobacco PLC2.6%
VYM
- AVGO Broadcom Inc6.9%
- JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co3.8%
- XOM ExxonMobil Holdings Corp2.8%
- JNJ Johnson & Johnson2.7%
- ABBV AbbVie Inc2.0%
- CSCO Cisco Systems Inc1.8%
- CVX Chevron Corp1.6%
- CAT Caterpillar Inc1.6%
- MRK Merck & Co Inc1.5%
- BAC Bank of America Corp1.5%
CGDV vs VYM: questions
Is CGDV or VYM better?
It depends on the job. VYM pays more today (2.26% vs 1.25%), VYM costs less, and CGDV has the better total return over Feb 2022 to Oct 2026, with VYM holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, CGDV or VYM?
VYM, at 2.26% against 1.25% for CGDV as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $226 vs $125 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
CGDV. From Feb 2022 to Oct 2026, it returned 17.0% a year with distributions reinvested, against 12.1% for VYM. $10,000 became $20,841 vs $17,063.
Which is cheaper, CGDV or VYM?
VYM, with a 0.04% expense ratio against 0.33%.
Do CGDV and VYM hold the same things?
Partly. 1 of their top ten holdings match (AVGO), at least 4% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. VYM leads on 4 of 6 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.