GAST vs VYM
Gabelli Automation ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GAST or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
GAST has a lower expense ratio. GAST led over 1Y, VYM over the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.1%.
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 | GAST | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.00%Best | 0.04% |
| AUM | $5M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.63% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 49 | 613 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.9% | 14.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.6% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $13,182 | $14,323Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 44.1% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 5, 2022 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 272 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. GAST has data through Dec 12, 2025 and VYM through Sep 10, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 5, 2022 to Dec 12, 2025 (3.9 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GAST has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% compared with 14.3% 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 -23.6% for GAST 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GAST charges 0.00% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $0 vs $4 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GAST currently yields 0.63% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
21.3% of GAST's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 3.5% of VYM's money is in holdings GAST also owns.
GAST and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 273 days apart, GAST as of Sep 30, 2025 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.
11 positions in common, counted across the 49 positions we hold weights for in GAST and 603 in VYM, against full books of 49 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 557 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for GAST (94.1% of the fund), and 30 for GAST that do not appear in VYM (63.0%).
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 GAST | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROKRockwell Automation Inc. | 4.65% | 0.23% | 4.42% |
| EMREmerson Electric Co. | 4.43% | 0.33% | 4.10% |
| ORCLOracle Corp. | 3.71% | 1.04% | 2.67% |
| TXNTexas Instruments, Inc | 0.90% | 1.13% | 0.23% |
| NOCNorthrop Grumman Corp. | 1.71% | 0.28% | 1.43% |
| FLSFlowserve Corp. | 1.54% | 0.04% | 1.50% |
| TNCTennant Co | 1.50% | 0.01% | 1.49% |
| SPBSpectrum Brands Holdings Inc | 1.10% | 0.01% | 1.09% |
| OXYOccidental Petroleum Corp. | 0.67% | 0.15% | 0.52% |
| NDAQNasdaq Inc. | 0.66% | 0.15% | 0.51% |
21.3% of GAST 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, GAST or VYM?
GAST has an expense ratio of 0.00% while VYM charges 0.04%. GAST is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, GAST or VYM?
GAST has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 14.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: GAST -23.6% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both GAST and VYM?
GAST 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 GAST and VYM?
21.3% of GAST's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 3.5% of VYM's is in holdings GAST also owns. They hold 11 positions in common, counted across the 49 positions we hold weights for in GAST and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GAST or VYM?
GAST yields 0.63% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GAST?
GAST has a lower expense ratio. GAST led over 1Y, VYM over the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 44.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.