Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
DVY vs HDV
iShares Select Dividend ETF versus iShares Core High Dividend ETF — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
DVY and HDV are evenly matched (1–1 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
Neither DVY nor HDV wins outright — the two are nearly equivalent across all 6 dimensions, making the choice largely a matter of which account you hold them in and personal preference on yield vs stability. DVY and HDV are evenly matched (1–1 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
On yield alone, HDV generates 3.34% vs 3.29% — a 0.05% difference that translates to $50 more per year on a $100,000 investment.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | DVY | HDV | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 3.29% | 3.34% | Tie |
| Dividend safety | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | Tie |
| Growth trend | — | — | Tie |
| Expense ratio | 38.00% | 8.00% | HDV wins |
| Scale | $26.4B | $15.5B | DVY wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 1 wins | 1 wins | Tie |
Dimension by dimension
DVY and HDV have nearly identical yields (3.29% vs 3.34%)
Yields are within 5 basis points — effectively a coin-flip on income.
Safety scores are too close to call (7.6/10 vs 7.6/10)
Both score within 0.3 points on our 0-10 dividend safety scale — comparable risk profiles on the signals we measure.
Yield-trend comparison unavailable
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
HDV is cheaper (8.00% vs 38.00%)
On a $10,000 position the lower expense ratio saves about $3000/year — small annually but compounds significantly over 20+ years.
On $10,000 invested, HDV's lower expense ratio saves roughly $30/year in fees versus DVY. Over 20 years that compounds to a meaningful drag — expense ratios are one of the few costs investors fully control.
DVY is 1.7× larger by AUM
Larger funds tend to have tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, and lower closure risk.
Both pay qualified-dividend-eligible distributions
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
How we compare these
Every comparison on this page is computed from current public data, not written by hand. Yield comes from the most recent dividend distribution annualized over current price. Safety scores combine yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size — see our methodology for the exact formula. Tax-efficiency flags identify covered-call ETFs, REITs, and mREITs which distribute primarily as ordinary income.
This is educational, not investment advice.Scores reflect a snapshot of public data on the "as of" dates shown on each ticker's safety page. Verify on the issuer's investor relations page or your brokerage before making decisions.
Frequently asked
Which is better for income, DVY or HDV?
DVY and HDV are evenly matched (1–1 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
DVY vs HDV: which has a higher dividend yield?
DVY yields 3.29% and HDV yields 3.34%. Yields are within 5 basis points — effectively a coin-flip on income.
Is DVY or HDV a safer dividend in 2026?
DVY scores 7.6/10 (Solid) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. HDV scores 7.6/10 (Solid). Both have comparable safety scores.
Which has better dividend growth, DVY or HDV?
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
DVY vs HDV: which is more tax-efficient?
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
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