VYM vs DGRW Stock Comparison: AI Score, Valuation, Performance and Upside
VYM and DGRW sit in related but distinct corners of the ETF landscape — VYM centers on broad, diversified exposure to above-average-yielding US stocks, while DGRW focuses on quality- and growth-weighted dividend exposure. Investors choosing between them should weigh how each fund's strategy lines up with their own goals rather than assuming they're interchangeable.
Choosing between VYM and DGRW comes down to which specific exposure — broad, diversified exposure to above-average-yielding US stocks or quality- and growth-weighted dividend exposure — better matches the role you want this holding to play in a diversified portfolio.
VYM holds the edge across 5 of 5 key metrics in this comparison. VYM has delivered stronger 1-year price return (+15.98% vs +11.58% for DGRW).
- want broad, diversified exposure to above-average-yielding US stocks
- prefer Vanguard's approach and fund lineup
- value very low expense ratio for a dividend-focused fund
- are comfortable with minimal quality screening beyond yield itself
- want quality- and growth-weighted dividend exposure
- prefer WisdomTree's approach and fund lineup
- value weighting method targets future dividend growth, not just current yield
- are comfortable with lower current yield than pure high-income dividend funds
| Metric | VYM | DGRW |
|---|---|---|
| ETF scorei | 80.0 | 69.0 |
| Latest closei | $159.26 | $97.93 |
| 1M returni | -3.14% | -1.49% |
| 6M returni | +11.00% | +12.98% |
| 1Y returni | +15.98% | +11.58% |
The ETF score weights long-term returns and risk-adjusted performance most heavily, but still rewards low expense ratios, larger fund size, and broader diversification — so it can favor low-cost, broad, mega-cap funds over smaller thematic or actively-managed funds even when the latter have delivered stronger returns.
How much would $10,000 be worth today if invested at the start of each period, with all dividends reinvested?
| Period | VYM | DGRW |
|---|---|---|
| 1Y ago | $11.96K (+19.6%) started 2025-09-18 | $11.31K (+13.1%) started 2025-09-18 |
| 5Y ago | $21.11K (+111.1%) started 2021-09-20 | $19.5K (+95.0%) started 2021-09-20 |
| 10Y ago | $43.02K (+330.2%) started 2016-09-19 | $46.18K (+361.8%) started 2016-09-19 |
Hypothetical — past performance does not guarantee future results.
| Metric | VYM | DGRW |
|---|---|---|
| Expense ratioi | 0.04% | 0.28% |
| Total assets (AUM)i | $100.84B | $17.17B |
| Dividend yieldi | 2.22% | 1.21% |
| Trailing P/Ei | 20.01 | 24.34 |
| Betai | 0.75 | 0.83 |
| 52-week change | 15.98% | 11.58% |
| Metric | VYM | DGRW |
|---|---|---|
| 1Y returni | +15.98% | +11.58% |
| 6M returni | +11.00% | +12.98% |
| 1M returni | -3.14% | -1.49% |
| 1Y Sharpe ratio | 1.07 | 0.67 |
| Betai | 0.75 | 0.83 |
| Dividend yieldi | 2.22% | 1.21% |
| 5Y CAGR | +12.42% | +12.26% |
Over the past year, VYM and DGRW have moved strongly in the same direction (correlation of 0.84), based on daily returns.
Lower drawdown and smaller single-period drops generally indicate a smoother ride, though they do not guarantee lower future risk.
| Period | Metric | VYM | DGRW |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Y | Growthi | +15.98% | +11.58% |
| CAGRi | +15.99% | +11.59% | |
| Volatilityi | 10.20% | 10.52% | |
| Sharpe ratioi | 1.07 | 0.67 | |
| Sortino ratioi | 1.59 | 0.96 | |
| Max drawdowni | 6.69% | 8.30% | |
| Current drawdowni | 4.12% | 2.33% | |
| Avg drawdowni | 1.25% | 1.40% | |
| Ulcer Indexi | 1.91% | 2.10% | |
| Max daily dropi | 2.03% | 1.94% | |
| Max wkly dropi | 2.88% | 2.70% | |
| 5Y | Growthi | +79.44% | +78.18% |
| CAGRi | +12.42% | +12.26% | |
| Volatilityi | 13.82% | 14.01% | |
| Sharpe ratioi | 0.59 | 0.58 | |
| Sortino ratioi | 0.85 | 0.83 | |
| Max drawdowni | 15.84% | 17.27% | |
| Current drawdowni | 4.12% | 2.33% | |
| Avg drawdowni | 2.93% | 3.29% | |
| Ulcer Indexi | 4.24% | 4.83% | |
| Max daily dropi | 5.70% | 5.47% | |
| Max wkly dropi | 10.80% | 11.01% | |
| 10Y | Growthi | +202.47% | +272.63% |
| CAGRi | +11.71% | +14.06% | |
| Volatilityi | 16.27% | 16.17% | |
| Sharpe ratioi | 0.49 | 0.62 | |
| Sortino ratioi | 0.68 | 0.87 | |
| Max drawdowni | 35.21% | 32.04% | |
| Current drawdowni | 4.12% | 2.33% | |
| Avg drawdowni | 3.52% | 3.23% | |
| Ulcer Indexi | 5.66% | 5.17% | |
| Max daily dropi | 10.06% | 10.62% | |
| Max wkly dropi | 19.13% | 17.04% |
| Category | VYM | DGRW |
|---|---|---|
| Fund name | Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares | WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Fund |
| Type | ETF | ETF |
| Expense ratioi | 0.04% | 0.28% |
| Total assets (AUM)i | $100.84B | $17.17B |
| Dividend yieldi | 2.22% | 1.21% |
- Very low expense ratio for a dividend-focused fund
- Broader diversification across more holdings than concentrated dividend funds
- Straightforward, yield-driven selection methodology
- Weighting method targets future dividend growth, not just current yield
- Quality screens (ROE, earnings growth) reduce dividend-cut risk
- Strong long-term total-return track record
- Minimal quality screening beyond yield itself
- Can include value traps with unsustainable payout ratios
- Lower yield than more concentrated high-income funds
- Lower current yield than pure high-income dividend funds
- More concentrated in quality mega-caps than broader dividend funds
- Rebalancing methodology differs meaningfully from simpler dividend indexes
Want deeper AI forecasts?
This comparison page is public and free forever. Subscribers can unlock saved watchlists, full AI rankings, detailed forecasts, and interactive analysis tools.