GABF vs VYM
Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GABF or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. GABF led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.1%.
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 | GABF | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.24% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $54M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.00% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 42 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +0.20% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.89% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.19%Best | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.6% | 13.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -20.9% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.3 years | $20,953Best | $17,336 |
| Top 10 Weight | 46.1% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 10, 2022 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 10, 2022 to Sep 4, 2026 (4.3 years).
GABF 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 4.3 years both funds cover.
GABF vs VYM Performance
Gabelli Financial Services Opportunities ETF (GABF) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GABF returned -2.89% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, GABF is up 0.20% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, GABF compounded at +20.19% per year against +18.64% for VYM. Across the full 4-year window we track, GABF has the edge at +18.77% annualized vs +13.65%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GABF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.6% compared with 13.8% 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 -20.9% for GABF and -14.5% 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GABF charges 1.24% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $124 vs $4 annually, a gap of $120 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GABF currently yields 2.00% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
33.4% of GABF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 10.2% of VYM's money is in holdings GABF also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 50 days apart, GABF as of Aug 19, 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.
17 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in GABF and 602 in VYM, against full books of 42 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 552 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for GABF (87.0% of the fund), and 25 for GABF that do not appear in VYM (65.9%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GABF | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 3.60% | 3.38% | 0.22% |
| CNSCohen & Steers Inc | 5.23% | 0.01% | 5.22% |
| COFCapital One Financial Corp. | 4.55% | 0.52% | 4.03% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co | 4.01% | 1.05% | 2.96% |
| BXBlackstone, Inc. | 4.67% | 0.36% | 4.31% |
| APOApollo Global Management Inc | 3.70% | 0.21% | 3.49% |
| WRBW R Berkley Corp - Common | 2.64% | 0.07% | 2.57% |
| BACBank Of America Corp. | 0.27% | 1.56% | 1.29% |
| MTBM&T Bank Corp | 1.68% | 0.15% | 1.53% |
| PGRProgressive Corp. | 0.86% | 0.53% | 0.33% |
33.4% of GABF is already inside VYM.
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, GABF or VYM?
GABF has an expense ratio of 1.24% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $120 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GABF or VYM?
Over the past year GABF returned -2.89% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), GABF annualized +18.77% vs +13.65% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GABF or VYM?
GABF has been the more volatile fund at 19.6% annualized versus 13.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: GABF -20.9% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both GABF and VYM?
GABF and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 GABF and VYM?
33.4% of GABF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 10.2% of VYM's is in holdings GABF also owns. They hold 17 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in GABF and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GABF or VYM?
GABF yields 2.00% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GABF?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. GABF led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.