VHY vs HYLD: Which ETF Is Better?
A side-by-side comparison of fees, size, returns and holdings, using data to 30 September 2026.
VHY comes out ahead on 5 of 6 measures. Which matters most depends on you.
The short answer
Bigger funds usually trade more cheaply and are less likely to close.
A tighter gap between the buy and sell price.
VHY vs HYLD side by side
| VHY leads on 5, HYLD on 1 | VHYVanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF | HYLDBetashares S&P Australian Shares High Yield ETF |
|---|---|---|
| The basics | ||
| Index tracked | FTSE ASFA Australia High Dividend Yield Index | See the PDS |
| Fund manager | Vanguard | Betashares |
| Asset class | Australian shares | Australian shares |
| Listed | May 2011 | Aug 2025 |
| Cost and size | ||
| MERyearly fee, lower is better | 0.25% | 0.25% |
| AUMfund size | $8.2bn✓ | $117m |
| Net flows (Sep)new money in, last month | $144m✓ | $6.7m |
| Bid/ask spreadtrading cost, lower is better | 0.02%✓ | 0.07% |
| Total returns | ||
| 1 month | −1.1% | −0.2%✓ |
| 1 year | +12.0%✓ | +11.2% |
| 3 years p.a. | +13.5% | – |
| 5 years p.a. | +10.2% | – |
| $10,000 invested | ||
| 1 year ago | $11,200✓ | $11,124 |
| 5 years ago | $16,237 | – |
✓ marks the better figure on each measure. Returns include distributions, to 30 September 2026.
VHY vs HYLD price chart
Both ETFs on one chart as % change. Use the 1D to All buttons to change the period. Price only, so it leaves out distributions · TradingView
What $10,000 invested is worth now
Only VHY has a 5 years record: $10,000 then is worth $16,237 today.
Total returns to 30 September 2026, with distributions reinvested, before tax and brokerage. The price chart above leaves out distributions, so it can look worse. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
What the fees cost you
VHY and HYLD charge the same fee, so fees make no difference between them.
Total fees paid on a $100,000 investment, assuming a 7% a year return before fees. Illustration only: it ignores tax, brokerage and differences in returns.
Get the full VHY vs HYLD report
- Every holding of each ETF: the top 50 companies, with sectors and countries
- Exactly which companies they share, and how much of each
- Fees in dollars over 10, 20 and 30 years
- Every metric side by side, including the index each tracks
- ★ FREE BONUSIs now a good time to invest? The Market Health-O-Meter
FAQs
Which is better, VHY or HYLD?
It depends on what you need. On our numbers VHY wins on 5 measures and HYLD on 1. VHY is the larger fund at $8.2bn vs $117m. VHY has the better 1-year return: +12.0% vs +11.2%. VHY has the tighter bid/ask spread (0.02%), so it is usually slightly cheaper to trade.
Which is cheaper, VHY or HYLD?
VHY charges 0.25% a year and HYLD charges 0.25% a year.
Can I hold both VHY and HYLD?
You can, but check how much they overlap. VHY is a Australian shares fund and HYLD is a Australian shares fund.
More comparisons
General information only, not a recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.