DLN vs VTV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, VTV yields more: 1.83% (dividend yield) against 1.74% for DLN. VTV is cheaper to own at 0.03% a year vs 0.28%. Over the same 18 years (Dec 2007 to Oct 2026), DLN returned 9.7% a year with distributions reinvested, and VTV 9.6%.
| Compared | DLN | VTV |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 1.74% | 1.83% |
| Expense ratio | 0.28% | 0.03% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +18.2% | +25.3% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +21.2% | +22.0% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +12.2% | +12.4% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +13.0% | +13.0% |
| Worst drop since Dec 2007 | -50.7% | -50.8% |
| Share price since Dec 2007 | +248% | +243% |
| Pays | Monthly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | WisdomTree | Vanguard |
| Assets | $6.4B | $263.7B |
| Started | 2006 | 2004 |
| Type | Large Value | Large Value |
Higher yield
VTV
1.83%
Lower cost
VTV
0.03%
Better total return
DLN
9.7%/yr
Smaller worst drop
DLN
-50.7%
Key facts: DLN vs VTV
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, DLN yields 1.74% (dividend yield) and VTV yields 1.83% (dividend yield).
- DLN's expense ratio is 0.28% and VTV's is 0.03%: $28 vs $3 a year on $10,000.
- From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in DLN grew to $56,757 (9.7% a year) and $10,000 in VTV to $55,915 (9.6% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -50.7% for DLN and -50.8% for VTV.
- 5 of DLN's top ten holdings are also in VTV's top ten, an overlap of at least 11% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "DLN vs VTV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/dln-vs-vtv
$10,000 in each, Dec 2007 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
DLN became
$56,757
9.7% a year
VTV became
$55,915
9.6% a year
Year by year
| Year | DLN | VTV |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +15.5% | +15.3% |
| 2024 | +19.4% | +15.9% |
| 2023 | +10.0% | +9.3% |
| 2022 | −3.8% | −2.1% |
| 2021 | +25.6% | +26.5% |
| 2020 | +4.6% | +2.3% |
| 2019 | +28.5% | +25.7% |
| 2018 | −5.8% | −5.5% |
| 2017 | +18.2% | +17.1% |
| 2016 | +15.5% | +17.1% |
| 2015 | −1.2% | −1.0% |
| 2014 | +14.3% | +13.2% |
| 2013 | +27.3% | +33.1% |
| 2012 | +12.1% | +15.2% |
| 2011 | +9.5% | +1.1% |
| 2010 | +15.0% | +14.6% |
| 2009 | +17.4% | +19.9% |
| 2008 | −35.1% | −35.9% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
5 of the top ten overlap, at least 11% of each fund.
DLN
- MSFT Microsoft Corp4.9%
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp3.5%
- JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co2.8%
- AAPL Apple Inc2.5%
- XOM ExxonMobil Holdings Corp2.4%
- JNJ Johnson & Johnson2.1%
- CVX Chevron Corp2.0%
- ABBV AbbVie Inc2.0%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A1.9%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc1.8%
VTV
- MU Micron Technology Inc4.6%
- JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co3.3%
- BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc Class B2.9%
- XOM ExxonMobil Holdings Corp2.6%
- JNJ Johnson & Johnson2.4%
- ABBV AbbVie Inc1.8%
- WMT Walmart Inc1.7%
- CVX Chevron Corp1.5%
- CSCO Cisco Systems Inc1.4%
- CAT Caterpillar Inc1.4%
DLN vs VTV: questions
Is DLN or VTV better?
It depends on the job. VTV pays more today (1.83% vs 1.74%), VTV costs less, and DLN has the better total return over Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, with DLN 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, DLN or VTV?
VTV, at 1.83% against 1.74% for DLN as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $183 vs $174 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
DLN. From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, it returned 9.7% a year with distributions reinvested, against 9.6% for VTV. $10,000 became $56,757 vs $55,915.
Which is cheaper, DLN or VTV?
VTV, with a 0.03% expense ratio against 0.28%.
Do DLN and VTV hold the same things?
Partly. 5 of their top ten holdings match (JPM, XOM, JNJ, ABBV), at least 11% 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. VTV leads on 6 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.