VYM vs WHLR: Correlation
How closely do Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) and Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (WHLR) trade together? Their weekly returns over three years give a correlation of -0.15, which is negative.
Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology
How correlated are VYM and WHLR?
Over the past 3 years, VYM and WHLR moved with a correlation of -0.15, which is negative, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. Recent behaviour matches the longer record: -0.06 over 1 year against -0.15 over 3. Over 5 years the correlation is -0.09, and the annualized covariance of weekly returns is -993.1 %².
By 3-year correlation, WHLR places #116 of the 122 assets tracked against VYM. Correlation aside, the last 12 months split them widely, with VYM ahead by 121.1 points (+21.1% versus -100.0%). Note the risk asymmetry: WHLR runs 44.3 times the annualized volatility of the other leg, so equal-weighting the two is not an equal-risk position.
How is this computed?
Pearson correlation on weekly returns: ρ(A,B) = cov(rA, rB) / (σA · σB), over windows of 52, 156 and 260 weeks. Covariance is annualized (×52) and expressed in %². Full definitions on the methodology page.
VYM vs WHLR: side by side
| VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) | WHLR (Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc.) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +21.1% | -100.0% |
| 5-year return | +76.6% | -100.0% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 12.3% | 545.0% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.69 | -5.84 |
| Max drawdown (3Y) | -14.5% | -100.0% |
| Market cap | – | – |
| P/E (trailing) | – | 0.0 |
| Dividend yield | 2.24% | 0.00% |
| Expense ratio | 0.04% | – |
| Assets under management | $99.2B | – |
| Sector / category | ETF · Dividend | US Listed |
VYM, Vanguard's Large Value fund, carries $99.2B under management, 604 holdings, a 0.04% expense ratio, a 2.24% trailing dividend yield.
Year-by-year returns
| Year | VYM | WHLR |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -0.4% | -28.0% |
| 2023 | +6.6% | -98.4% |
| 2024 | +17.6% | -98.4% |
| 2025 | +15.4% | -100.0% |
| 2026 | +15.9% | -99.9% |
Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.
Are VYM and WHLR good diversifiers for each other?
By historical standards, yes. A correlation of -0.15 means the two rarely move for the same reasons.
FAQ
What is the correlation between VYM and WHLR?
Using weekly returns as of 2026-08-27: -0.15 over 3 years, with -0.06 over the last year and -0.09 over 5 years.
Is WHLR a good diversifier for VYM?
By historical standards, yes. A correlation of -0.15 means the two rarely move for the same reasons.
What does a correlation of -0.15 mean?
A reading of -0.15 sits on a scale from −1 (opposite moves) through 0 (unrelated) to +1 (identical moves). Correlation captures direction, not magnitude or performance.
Use this data
$ curl https://www.pairbook.io/api/v1/pairs/vym-vs-whlr.json
Embed this badge (it refreshes with the data), with attribution:
[](https://www.pairbook.io/pair/vym-vs-whlr/)
No key needed, free to use. Full endpoint list in the API documentation.
Related comparisons
Hubs: VYM correlations · WHLR correlations
