Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
RYLD vs VYM
Global X Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF versus Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
VYM wins 4–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but RYLD can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
RYLD or VYM — which is better?
VYM wins this comparison 4–1 across 6 dimensions. VYM yields 2.37% — lower than RYLD's 7.80% — and carries a 7.9/10 dividend safety score (Solid) vs 5.4/10 for RYLD (Mixed). VYM wins 4–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but RYLD can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On yield alone, RYLD generates 7.80% vs 2.37% — a 5.43% difference that translates to $5,430 more per year on a $100,000 investment. On dividend safety, VYM scores 7.9/10 (Solid) vs 5.4/10 (Mixed) for RYLD — investors prioritizing income reliability should weight that gap alongside the yield difference.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | RYLD | VYM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 7.80% | 2.37% | RYLD wins |
| Dividend safety | 5.4/10 | 7.9/10 | VYM wins |
| Growth trend | — | — | Tie |
| Expense ratio | 60.00% | 4.00% | VYM wins |
| Scale | $1.4B | $95.8B | VYM wins |
| Tax efficiency | Ordinary income | Qualified-eligible | VYM wins |
| Overall | 1 wins | 4 wins | VYM wins |
Dimension by dimension
RYLD wins on yield (7.80% vs 2.37%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $543 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
RYLD's higher yield (7.80%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus VYM's 2.37% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
VYM wins on safety (7.9/10 vs 5.4/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. VYM scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
VYM (7.9/10) scores 2.5 points higher than RYLD (5.4/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.
Yield-trend comparison unavailable
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
VYM is cheaper (4.00% vs 60.00%)
On a $10,000 position the lower expense ratio saves about $5600/year — small annually but compounds significantly over 20+ years.
On $10,000 invested, VYM's lower expense ratio saves roughly $56/year in fees versus RYLD. Over 20 years that compounds to a meaningful drag — expense ratios are one of the few costs investors fully control.
VYM is 69.8× larger by AUM
Larger funds tend to have tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, and lower closure risk.
VYM is more tax-efficient in a taxable account
RYLD's distributions are typically taxed as ordinary income (covered call ETF, REIT, or mREIT) — versus qualified dividends from VYM which get the lower long-term capital gains rate.
Full breakdown per ticker: are RYLD dividends qualified and are VYM dividends qualified — each with the after-tax income at every federal bracket.
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
RYLD or VYM — which is better?
VYM is better on our scoring, winning 4–1 across six dimensions: yield, dividend safety, growth, cost, scale, and tax treatment. VYM wins 4–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but RYLD can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Which is better for income, RYLD or VYM?
VYM wins 4–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but RYLD can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
RYLD vs VYM: which has a higher dividend yield?
RYLD yields 7.80% and VYM yields 2.37%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $543 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is RYLD or VYM a safer dividend in 2026?
RYLD scores 5.4/10 (Mixed) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. VYM scores 7.9/10 (Solid). VYM is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, RYLD or VYM?
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
RYLD vs VYM: which is more tax-efficient?
RYLD's distributions are typically taxed as ordinary income (covered call ETF, REIT, or mREIT) — versus qualified dividends from VYM which get the lower long-term capital gains rate.
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Compare both against your actual holdings
Put RYLD and VYM into the free analyzer with the rest of your portfolio. You'll see what each one contributes to your annual income, your weighted safety score, and whether adding VYM diversifies you or just duplicates what you hold. No account, no download.