DLN vs VYM: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, VYM yields more: 2.26% (dividend yield) against 1.74% for DLN. VYM is cheaper to own at 0.04% a year vs 0.28%. Over the same 18 years (Dec 2007 to Oct 2026), VYM returned 9.7% a year with distributions reinvested, and DLN 9.7%.
VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares2.26%dividend yield| Compared | DLN | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 1.74% | 2.26% |
| Expense ratio | 0.28% | 0.04% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +18.2% | +19.3% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +21.2% | +20.9% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +12.2% | +11.8% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +13.0% | +12.0% |
| Worst drop since Dec 2007 | -50.7% | -48.8% |
| Share price since Dec 2007 | +248% | +220% |
| Pays | Monthly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | WisdomTree | Vanguard |
| Assets | $6.4B | $100.1B |
| Started | 2006 | 2006 |
| Type | Large Value | Large Value |
Higher yield
VYM
2.26%
Lower cost
VYM
0.04%
Better total return
VYM
9.7%/yr
Smaller worst drop
VYM
-48.8%
Key facts: DLN vs VYM
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, DLN yields 1.74% (dividend yield) and VYM yields 2.26% (dividend yield).
- DLN's expense ratio is 0.28% and VYM's is 0.04%: $28 vs $4 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 VYM to $57,072 (9.7% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -50.7% for DLN and -48.8% for VYM.
- 6 of DLN's top ten holdings are also in VYM's top ten, an overlap of at least 13% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "DLN vs VYM: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/dln-vs-vym
$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
VYM became
$57,072
9.7% a year
Year by year
| Year | DLN | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +15.5% | +15.4% |
| 2024 | +19.4% | +17.6% |
| 2023 | +10.0% | +6.6% |
| 2022 | −3.8% | −0.4% |
| 2021 | +25.6% | +26.2% |
| 2020 | +4.6% | +1.1% |
| 2019 | +28.5% | +24.0% |
| 2018 | −5.8% | −5.9% |
| 2017 | +18.2% | +16.4% |
| 2016 | +15.5% | +17.0% |
| 2015 | −1.2% | +0.3% |
| 2014 | +14.3% | +13.5% |
| 2013 | +27.3% | +30.1% |
| 2012 | +12.1% | +12.7% |
| 2011 | +9.5% | +10.6% |
| 2010 | +15.0% | +14.2% |
| 2009 | +17.4% | +17.1% |
| 2008 | −35.1% | −31.9% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
6 of the top ten overlap, at least 13% 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%
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%
DLN vs VYM: questions
Is DLN or VYM better?
It depends on the job. VYM pays more today (2.26% vs 1.74%), VYM costs less, and VYM has the better total return over Dec 2007 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, DLN or VYM?
VYM, at 2.26% against 1.74% for DLN as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $226 vs $174 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
VYM. From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, it returned 9.7% a year with distributions reinvested, against 9.7% for DLN. $10,000 became $57,072 vs $56,757.
Which is cheaper, DLN or VYM?
VYM, with a 0.04% expense ratio against 0.28%.
Do DLN and VYM hold the same things?
Partly. 6 of their top ten holdings match (JPM, XOM, JNJ, ABBV), at least 13% 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. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.