FDL vs VYM: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, FDL yields more: 3.56% (dividend yield) against 2.26% for VYM. VYM is cheaper to own at 0.04% a year vs 0.43%. Over the same 18 years (Dec 2007 to Oct 2026), FDL returned 9.7% a year with distributions reinvested, and VYM 9.7%.
VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares2.26%dividend yield| Compared | FDL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 3.56% | 2.26% |
| Expense ratio | 0.43% | 0.04% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +31.1% | +19.3% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +24.0% | +20.9% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +14.9% | +11.8% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +11.9% | +12.0% |
| Worst drop since Dec 2007 | -54.9% | -48.8% |
| Share price since Dec 2007 | +167% | +220% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | First Trust | Vanguard |
| Assets | $8.4B | $100.1B |
| Started | 2006 | 2006 |
| Type | Large Value | Large Value |
Higher yield
FDL
3.56%
Lower cost
VYM
0.04%
Better total return
FDL
9.7%/yr
Smaller worst drop
VYM
-48.8%
Key facts: FDL vs VYM
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, FDL yields 3.56% (dividend yield) and VYM yields 2.26% (dividend yield).
- FDL's expense ratio is 0.43% and VYM's is 0.04%: $43 vs $4 a year on $10,000.
- From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in FDL grew to $57,277 (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: -54.9% for FDL and -48.8% for VYM.
- 1 of FDL's top ten holdings are also in VYM's top ten, an overlap of at least 2% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "FDL vs VYM: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/fdl-vs-vym
$10,000 in each, Dec 2007 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
FDL became
$57,277
9.7% a year
VYM became
$57,072
9.7% a year
Year by year
| Year | FDL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +14.8% | +15.4% |
| 2024 | +18.0% | +17.6% |
| 2023 | +3.0% | +6.6% |
| 2022 | +6.7% | −0.4% |
| 2021 | +26.1% | +26.2% |
| 2020 | −4.3% | +1.1% |
| 2019 | +24.4% | +24.0% |
| 2018 | −6.0% | −5.9% |
| 2017 | +12.0% | +16.4% |
| 2016 | +20.7% | +17.0% |
| 2015 | +2.6% | +0.3% |
| 2014 | +13.2% | +13.5% |
| 2013 | +22.6% | +30.1% |
| 2012 | +9.1% | +12.7% |
| 2011 | +14.5% | +10.6% |
| 2010 | +16.1% | +14.2% |
| 2009 | +13.4% | +17.1% |
| 2008 | −31.1% | −31.9% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
1 of the top ten overlap, at least 2% of each fund.
FDL
- CVX Chevron Corp9.3%
- PM Philip Morris International Inc6.6%
- PFE Pfizer Inc6.5%
- VZ Verizon Communications Inc6.5%
- MO Altria Group Inc5.0%
- PEP PepsiCo Inc5.0%
- ACN Accenture PLC Class A3.3%
- UPS United Parcel Service Inc Class B3.2%
- BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Co3.0%
- CMCSA Comcast Corp Class A2.5%
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%
FDL vs VYM: questions
Is FDL or VYM better?
It depends on the job. FDL pays more today (3.56% vs 2.26%), VYM costs less, and FDL 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, FDL or VYM?
FDL, at 3.56% against 2.26% for VYM as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $356 vs $226 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
FDL. From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, it returned 9.7% a year with distributions reinvested, against 9.7% for VYM. $10,000 became $57,277 vs $57,072.
Which is cheaper, FDL or VYM?
VYM, with a 0.04% expense ratio against 0.43%.
Do FDL and VYM hold the same things?
Partly. 1 of their top ten holdings match (CVX), at least 2% 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.