Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • Vanguard • International High Dividend
Expense Ratio
0.22%
AUM
$9.0B
Dividend Yield
4.20%
Inception
2016
Beginner Score
10/10
What is Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF?
VYMI targets international stocks with above-average dividend yields across developed and emerging markets. It provides higher income than broad international ETFs by focusing on companies that pay generous dividends. Beginners seeking international income should know that VYMI offers attractive yields but with currency and regional economic risks.
VYMI is managed by Vanguard and has been available since 2016. With $9.0B in assets under management, it's a growing fund that has attracted significant investor interest. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.22%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $22 per year in management fees.
VYMI at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.22% |
| Total Holdings | 1,450 |
| P/E Ratio | 11.5 |
| Beta | 0.80 |
| Dividend Yield | 4.20% |
| AUM | $9.0B |
| Inception Year | 2016 |
| Issuer | Vanguard |
Top 10 Holdings in VYMI
VYMI holds 1,450 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nestlé SA | NSRGY | 2.50% |
| 2 | Shell PLC | SHEL | 2.20% |
| 3 | TotalEnergies SE | TTE | 2.00% |
| 4 | HSBC Holdings PLC | HSBC | 1.80% |
| 5 | Novartis AG | NVS | 1.60% |
| 6 | Toyota Motor Corp. | TM | 1.50% |
| 7 | BP PLC | BP | 1.40% |
| 8 | Commonwealth Bank of Australia | CBA.AX | 1.30% |
| 9 | Rio Tinto Group | RIO | 1.20% |
| 10 | Zurich Insurance Group | ZURN.SW | 1.10% |
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VYMI Performance History
Here's how VYMI has performed over different time periods. Remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it gives you a sense of the fund's track record:
YTD
1.50%
1 Year
12.00%
3 Year
6.00%
5 Year
5.00%
10 Year
0.00%
Beginner Suitability Score: 10/10
Our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score evaluates ETFs based on five factors that matter most to new investors: fees, volatility, diversification, dividend history, and track record length.
VYMI scores 10/10 because it has very low fees, shows lower-than-average volatility, offers broad diversification across 1,450 holdings, and has been available since 2016, giving it a proven track record.
How to Buy VYMI — Step by Step
- Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
- Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
- Search for "VYMI" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF.
- Place your order — Choose "Market Order" for simplicity or "Limit Order" if you want to set a specific price. Enter how many shares (or dollar amount) you want to buy.
- Set up automatic investing — Most brokers let you schedule recurring purchases (e.g., $100/month on the 1st). This is dollar cost averaging in action.
Dollar Cost Averaging Into VYMI
Here's what consistent monthly investing could look like over time, assuming an average annual return of 8% (approximate historical stock market average):
| Monthly | 10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100/mo | $18,417 | $59,295 | $150,030 |
| $250/mo | $46,041 | $148,237 | $375,074 |
| $500/mo | $92,083 | $296,474 | $750,148 |
*Projections assume 8% average annual return with monthly compounding. Actual returns will vary. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Fee impact: With VYMI's expense ratio of 0.22%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $1,863 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is significant — consider whether the fund's strategy justifies these costs.
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Pros and Cons of VYMI
Pros
- ✓High dividend yield above 4% from international companies
- ✓Broad diversification across 1,450+ stocks in developed and emerging markets
- ✓Competitive expense ratio of 0.22% for an international income ETF
- ✓Value-oriented tilt may outperform during market rotations away from growth
Cons
- ✗Value and high-dividend stocks may lag growth stocks in strong bull markets
- ✗Currency fluctuations can reduce or amplify returns for U.S. investors
- ✗Heavy financials weighting creates sector concentration risk
Frequently Asked Questions
Is VYMI a good ETF for beginners?▾
VYMI has a Beginner Suitability Score of 10/10 on our scale. This makes it a strong choice for new investors due to its low fees and broad diversification.
What is the expense ratio of VYMI?▾
VYMI has an expense ratio of 0.22%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $22 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in VYMI?▾
You can invest in VYMI with as little as $1 through brokers that offer fractional shares (like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood). There is no minimum investment required beyond the share price itself, which changes daily. Dollar cost averaging — investing a fixed amount regularly — is a popular strategy.
Does VYMI pay dividends?▾
Yes, VYMI pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 4.20%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in VYMI?▾
The top holdings in VYMI include Nestlé SA (2.50%), Shell PLC (2.20%), TotalEnergies SE (2.00%), and more. The fund holds 1,450 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.