QDF vs VYM: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, VYM yields more: 2.26% (dividend yield) against 1.53% for QDF. VYM is cheaper to own at 0.04% a year vs 0.39%. Over the same 13 years (Dec 2012 to Oct 2026), QDF returned 12.6% a year with distributions reinvested, and VYM 12.4%.
VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares2.26%dividend yield| Compared | QDF | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 1.53% | 2.26% |
| Expense ratio | 0.39% | 0.04% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +14.5% | +19.3% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +20.7% | +20.9% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +11.4% | +11.8% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +12.1% | +12.0% |
| Worst drop since Dec 2012 | -25.2% | -24.0% |
| Share price since Dec 2012 | +262% | +232% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | Northern Trust | Vanguard |
| Assets | $2.2B | $100.1B |
| Started | 2012 | 2006 |
| Type | Large Value | Large Value |
Higher yield
VYM
2.26%
Lower cost
VYM
0.04%
Better total return
QDF
12.6%/yr
Smaller worst drop
VYM
-24.0%
Key facts: QDF vs VYM
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, QDF yields 1.53% (dividend yield) and VYM yields 2.26% (dividend yield).
- QDF's expense ratio is 0.39% and VYM's is 0.04%: $39 vs $4 a year on $10,000.
- From Dec 2012 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in QDF grew to $51,697 (12.6% a year) and $10,000 in VYM to $50,273 (12.4% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -25.2% for QDF and -24.0% for VYM.
- 3 of QDF's top ten holdings are also in VYM's top ten, an overlap of at least 8% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "QDF vs VYM: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/qdf-vs-vym
$10,000 in each, Dec 2012 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
QDF became
$51,697
12.6% a year
VYM became
$50,273
12.4% a year
Year by year
| Year | QDF | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +16.6% | +15.4% |
| 2024 | +16.9% | +17.6% |
| 2023 | +19.7% | +6.6% |
| 2022 | −12.1% | −0.4% |
| 2021 | +26.7% | +26.2% |
| 2020 | +4.9% | +1.1% |
| 2019 | +25.7% | +24.0% |
| 2018 | −8.0% | −5.9% |
| 2017 | +17.4% | +16.4% |
| 2016 | +17.0% | +17.0% |
| 2015 | −0.9% | +0.3% |
| 2014 | +11.8% | +13.5% |
| 2013 | +36.3% | +30.1% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
3 of the top ten overlap, at least 8% of each fund.
QDF
- AAPL Apple Inc9.8%
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp7.1%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp4.6%
- JNJ Johnson & Johnson3.0%
- JPM JPMorgan Chase & Co2.5%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc2.5%
- GE GE Aerospace2.2%
- LRCX Lam Research Corp2.1%
- PM Philip Morris International Inc2.1%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A1.9%
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%
QDF vs VYM: questions
Is QDF or VYM better?
It depends on the job. VYM pays more today (2.26% vs 1.53%), VYM costs less, and QDF has the better total return over Dec 2012 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, QDF or VYM?
VYM, at 2.26% against 1.53% for QDF as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $226 vs $153 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
QDF. From Dec 2012 to Oct 2026, it returned 12.6% a year with distributions reinvested, against 12.4% for VYM. $10,000 became $51,697 vs $50,273.
Which is cheaper, QDF or VYM?
VYM, with a 0.04% expense ratio against 0.39%.
Do QDF and VYM hold the same things?
Partly. 3 of their top ten holdings match (JNJ, JPM, AVGO), at least 8% 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 6 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.