GAB vs VYM
Gabelli Equity Trust vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GAB or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 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 | GAB | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.50% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.4B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 10.21% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 682 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -1.92% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.96% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.11% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.08% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.4% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -79.3% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,433 | $17,845Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 21, 1986 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 4, 2026 (19.8 years).
GAB 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
GAB vs VYM Performance
Gabelli Equity Trust (GAB) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GAB returned +1.96% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, GAB is down 1.92% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, GAB compounded at +13.11% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +6.08% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +7.00% annualized vs +0.30%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GAB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.4% compared with 14.5% for VYM. 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 -79.3% for GAB and -58.8% 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GAB charges 1.50% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $150 vs $4 annually, a gap of $146 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GAB currently yields 10.21% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 58.9% of VYM's money is in holdings GAB also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for GAB, our book for it lists positions totalling 116.1% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 91 days apart, GAB as of Mar 31, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
151 positions in common, counted across the 655 positions we hold weights for in GAB and 603 in VYM, against full books of 682 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GAB | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.10% | 7.29% | 7.19% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.47% | 3.38% | 2.91% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 1.89% | 1.13% | 0.76% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.27% | 2.54% | 2.27% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.38% | 2.36% | 1.98% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.60% | 2.01% | 1.41% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.03% | 1.93% | 1.90% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.01% | 1.85% | 1.84% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.48% | 1.32% | 0.84% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 0.16% | 1.56% | 1.40% |
58.9% of VYM is already inside GAB.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GAB or VYM?
GAB has an expense ratio of 1.50% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $146 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GAB or VYM?
Over the past year GAB returned +1.96% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), GAB annualized +0.30% vs +7.00% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GAB or VYM?
GAB has been the more volatile fund at 21.4% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: GAB -79.3% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both GAB and VYM?
GAB and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between GAB and VYM?
At least 58.9% of VYM's money is in holdings GAB also owns. Our book for GAB is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 151 positions in common, counted across the 655 positions we hold weights for in GAB and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GAB or VYM?
GAB yields 10.21% while VYM yields 2.24%, so GAB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GAB?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.