PDI vs VIG: ETF Comparison
Compare PDI (PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund) and VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF) side by side by average annual total return since inception — one fair number covering price and dividends.
Updated Aug 4, 2026
*For entertainment purposes ONLY! NOT financial advice! Data may be inaccurate.*
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PDI vs VIG: The Verdict
On average annual total return since inception, VIG is virtually tied with PDI — +10.2% vs +10.0%. With a gap this small, the deciding factors are more likely to be yield, payout schedule, and how each strategy fits your goals than raw performance.
Keep the track records in mind: VIG has been trading for 20.3 years, while PDI has only 14.2 years of history. A shorter track record means the younger fund's average has been shaped by fewer market environments — one strong or weak stretch moves the needle more.
Income investors will notice the yield gap: PDI currently yields 16.10% vs VIG's 1.6%. Higher yield often comes with trade-offs in price appreciation, which is exactly why total return is the fairer scoreboard.
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PDI vs VIG Side-by-Side Data
| Symbol | Name | Provider | Inception | Age | Total Return | Avg. Annual Return | Yield | Expense Ratio | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PDI | PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund | Pimco | 5/25/2012 | 14.2y | +289.0% | +10.0% | 16.10% | 1.10% | C |
| VIG | Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | Vanguard | 4/21/2006 | 20.3y | +617.0% | +10.2% | 1.6% | 0.04% | A |
PDI vs VIG — Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, PDI or VIG?
By average annual total return since inception, VIG is virtually tied with PDI (+10.2% vs +10.0% per year). "Better" depends on your goals — yield, payout frequency, and strategy differ between the two funds.
What is the difference between PDI and VIG?
PDI (PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund) is offered by Pimco and currently yields 16.10%. VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF) is offered by Vanguard and yields 1.6%. Their average annual total returns since inception are +10.0% and +10.2% respectively.
Does VIG pay a higher dividend than PDI?
VIG currently yields 1.6% and PDI yields 16.10%. Remember that yield alone doesn't capture performance — total return (price + dividends) is the fairer comparison.