BGLD vs VYM
FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, BGLD or VYM?
Option Writing against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. BGLD led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BGLD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.91% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $54M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 10 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -1.39% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.99% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.70%Best | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.12% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.1%Best | 13.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -16.2% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,718 | $17,845Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 20, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 21, 2021 to Sep 4, 2026 (5.6 years).
BGLD vs VYM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 5.6 years both funds cover.
BGLD vs VYM Performance
FT Vest Gold Strategy Quarterly Buffer ETF (BGLD) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year BGLD returned +5.99% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, BGLD is down 1.39% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, BGLD compounded at +19.70% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +12.12% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +13.50% annualized vs +9.64%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.3% compared with 10.1% for BGLD. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -16.2% for BGLD and -15.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.22. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BGLD charges 0.91% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $91 vs $4 annually, a gap of $87 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BGLD currently yields 0.00% against 2.24% for VYM.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BGLD and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BGLD or VYM?
BGLD has an expense ratio of 0.91% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $87 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BGLD or VYM?
Over the past year BGLD returned +5.99% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), BGLD annualized +9.64% vs +13.50% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BGLD or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.3% annualized versus 10.1% for BGLD. Worst drawdown: BGLD -16.2% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both BGLD and VYM?
BGLD and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.22, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BGLD or VYM?
BGLD yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than BGLD?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. BGLD led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.