Updated Reviewed quarterly
VYM ETF: High Dividend Yield
TER0.04%·Yield (TTM)3.0%·DistributionQuarterly·NZ taxFIF (US-domiciled, > NZ$50K cost-basis)
Vanguard's broad dividend ETF holding 500+ stocks with above-average yields. Maximum diversification for dividend investors at rock-bottom fees.
VYM Key Stats (2026)
What is VYM ETF?
VYM tracks the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, which includes US stocks with above-average dividend yields while excluding REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts).
Unlike SCHD's quality-focused approach, VYM simply selects stocks based on yield, resulting in broader diversification but potentially including lower-quality companies.
Sector Breakdown
- • Financials: ~20%
- • Healthcare: ~14%
- • Consumer Staples: ~12%
- • Industrials: ~11%
- • Energy: ~10%
VYM vs SCHD: Which Dividend ETF?
| Feature | VYM | SCHD |
|---|---|---|
| Holdings | 500+ | 100 |
| Dividend Yield | ~3.0% | ~3.5% |
| Selection Method | Above-average yield | Quality + dividend history |
| 5-Year Total Return | Lower | Higher |
| Volatility | Lower (more diversified) | Slightly higher |
The verdict: SCHD has outperformed VYM historically, but VYM offers more diversification. Some investors hold both — SCHD for quality and VYM for breadth.
How to Buy VYM from New Zealand
Choose a Platform
VYM is available on Hatch, Stake, Sharesies, and Interactive Brokers.
Fund Your Account
Deposit NZD and convert to USD. VYM trades around US$125 per share.
Buy VYM
Search "VYM" and place your order. Dividends are paid quarterly in March, June, September, and December.
VYM: Pros & Cons
Pros
- 500+ holdings for maximum diversification
- Ultra-low 0.06% expense ratio
- Lower volatility than SCHD
- Broad sector exposure
Cons
- ✕ Lower total returns than SCHD historically
- ✕ No quality screen — may include weaker companies
- ✕ Lower dividend yield than SCHD
- ✕ Heavy financial sector weighting
Diversify Your Dividend Income
Compare platforms for buying VYM from New Zealand
Related to VYM
SCHD — quality-screened dividend alternative
100 stocks vs VYM 500+, both 0.06% TER.
SCHD vs VYM comparison
Quality screen vs broad yield.
JEPI — higher-income alternative
7.5% monthly via covered calls.
NZ dividend ETFs
PIE-tax NZX-listed dividend funds.
Dividend ETFs for NZ compared
Curated dividend picks across markets.
Dividend yield explained
What yield does and doesn't tell you.
Next typical distribution: September.VYM typically pays in Mar · Jun · Sep · Dec. Most recent verified distribution: US$0.9795 per unit, ex-date 2026-06-18. Issuer sets the exact date — verify on the distribution calendar before relying on a payment date.
Distribution history
Recent distributions — VYM
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per unit (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-18 | 2026-06-23 | US$0.9795 |
| 2026-03-20 | 2026-03-24 | US$0.8617 |
| 2025-12-19 | 2025-12-23 | US$0.9474 |
| 2025-09-19 | 2025-09-23 | US$0.8417 |
| 2025-06-20 | 2025-06-24 | US$0.8617 |
| 2025-03-21 | 2025-03-25 | US$0.8500 |
Dates are the issuer-published record/reinvest dates; under US T+1 settlement these coincide with the ex-date.
Source: Vanguard distribution records, verified 2026-07-05. Amounts are cash distributions per unit before tax — verify against the issuer source before relying on a payment. VYM typically distributes mar · jun · sep · dec; next typical month: September.
See /calendar/distributions/ for the rolling 12-month forward calendar across all covered ETFs.
Platform availability
Where to buy VYM from New Zealand
Based on each platform's advertised market coverage and fee schedule. Verify with the platform before transacting — instrument coverage can change.
| Platform | Per-trade fee | FX | Min | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Sharesies Sharesies | 1.9% per trade | 0.5% | NZ$0 | Beginners, fractional shares, mixing NZ + US ETFs |
 Hatch Hatch | US$3 per trade (≤300 shares) | 0.5% | NZ$0 (US$1 to invest) | NZ investors who want US-only ETFs (SPY, VOO, QQQ, SCHD, JEPI) |
 Stake Stake | US$0 trades | 0.70% | NZ$0 | Frequent US-share traders who hate per-trade fees |
 Interactive Brokers Interactive Brokers | From US$0.35 / trade (Tiered) or US$1 flat (Fixed) | ~0.002% (US$2 min) | US$0 | Larger portfolios, frequent traders, multi-market investors |
 Tiger Brokers Tiger Brokers | US$1.99 per US trade | 0.50% | NZ$0 | NZ investors who want NZ + US + Asian markets in one account |
 Jarden Direct Jarden Direct | NZ$29.90 per NZX trade | ~0.40% | NZ$0 | Larger NZX trades and global market access through one NZ broker |
 ASB Securities ASB Securities | NZ$30 per NZX trade | Bank rates (~1%) | NZ$0 (ASB customer) | Existing ASB customers wanting one login for banking + brokerage |
Showing 7 platforms that list this ETF. Full platform comparison: all 11 NZ brokers → · Full coverage matrix: availability matrix →
NZ tax treatment
How is VYM taxed for NZ investors?
VYM is US-domiciled. NZ investors apply Foreign Investment Fund rules once total overseas-share cost basis crosses the de-minimis threshold. Below it, only dividends are taxable.
The FIF de-minimis threshold is NZ$50,000 (source) of overseas-share cost basis. Below it, FIF rules do not apply and only dividends are taxable.
Most NZ retail investors use Fair Dividend Rate (FDR): deemed income = 5% × opening market value × your marginal rate. Comparative Value (CV) can be lower in flat or down years.
US dividends carry 15% (source) withholding under the NZ–US tax treaty (file W-8BEN; default rate without it is 30% (source) ). The withheld amount can be claimed as a foreign tax credit on your IR3.
FDR vs CV method → · PIE vs FIF comparison →
🧮 Model your own after-tax outcome
Mechanical NZ-tax calculator comparing PIE @ PIR vs FIF @ FDR vs FIF @ CV on your principal, assumed return, time horizon, PIR, and marginal rate. → Open the after-tax calculator
General information only — not personalised tax advice. Confirm your treatment with a registered NZ tax adviser before transacting.
Add up to 4 more tickers to compare TER · yield · distribution · NZ tax structure.
FAQ
Common questions about VYM
What is the VYM ETF?⌄
VYM is the Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF — holding ~500 above-average-yield US stocks weighted by market cap. 0.06% TER, quarterly distributions. Broader and more diversified than quality-screened dividend ETFs, with historically lower yield concentration risk.
VYM vs SCHD — which suits which investor?⌄
VYM is broader (~500 holdings vs ~100), market-cap-weighted, with no quality screen — closer to a beta-weighted high-yield basket. SCHD applies a 10+ year dividend-history quality filter and has historically produced stronger dividend growth. Same TER (0.06%). VYM tends to win on diversification; SCHD tends to win on dividend-growth track record.
Can NZ residents buy VYM?⌄
Yes — via Hatch, Stake, Sharesies (US market), and Interactive Brokers. Subject to NZ FIF rules above NZ$50,000 cost base. 15% US withholding tax on quarterly dividends with a W-8BEN — the 15% is generally claimable as a foreign tax credit on your IR3.
How does VYM compare to NZ-listed dividend options?⌄
Smartshares NZ Dividend ETF (DIV) is NZX-listed, PIE-taxed, and focused on top NZ dividend payers — different geography, different tax wrapper. VYM gives broad US dividend-equity exposure but triggers FIF above NZ$50,000. Some investors hold both to combine geographic and tax-structure diversification.
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