GCAD vs VYM
Gabelli Commercial Aerospace and Defense Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GCAD or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. GCAD 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 49.6%.
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 | GCAD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.10% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $44M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.87% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 55 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +4.97% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.81% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +30.65%Best | +17.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.0% | 11.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -16.1% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.7 years | $22,344Best | $16,434 |
| Top 10 Weight | 49.6% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 3, 2023 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 4, 2023 to Sep 10, 2026 (3.7 years).
GCAD 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 3.7 years both funds cover.
GCAD vs VYM Performance
Gabelli Commercial Aerospace and Defense Fund (GCAD) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GCAD returned +16.81% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, GCAD is up 4.97% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, GCAD compounded at +30.65% per year against +17.99% for VYM. Across the full 4-year window we track, GCAD has the edge at +24.27% annualized vs +14.37%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GCAD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.0% compared with 11.3% 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 -16.1% for GCAD 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 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GCAD charges 0.10% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $10 vs $4 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GCAD currently yields 1.87% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
29.6% of GCAD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.7% of VYM's money is in holdings GCAD also owns.
GCAD and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 50 days apart, GCAD 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.
8 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in GCAD and 603 in VYM, against full books of 55 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 560 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for GCAD (95.8% of the fund), and 35 for GCAD that do not appear in VYM (63.4%).
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 GCAD | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AINAlbany International Corp | 5.97% | 0.01% | 5.96% |
| LMTLockheed Martin Corp | 4.69% | 0.43% | 4.26% |
| LHXL3Harris Technologies Inc. | 4.44% | 0.22% | 4.22% |
| HONAHoneywell Aerospace Inc | 4.24% | 0.29% | 3.95% |
| NOCNorthrop Grumman Corp. | 3.98% | 0.28% | 3.70% |
| GDGeneral Dynamics Corp. | 2.63% | 0.38% | 2.25% |
| CRCrane Co | 2.92% | 0.01% | 2.91% |
| HIIHuntington Ingalls Industries Inc. | 0.75% | 0.05% | 0.70% |
29.6% of GCAD 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.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GCAD or VYM?
GCAD has an expense ratio of 0.10% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GCAD or VYM?
Over the past year GCAD returned +16.81% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), GCAD annualized +24.27% vs +14.37% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GCAD or VYM?
GCAD has been the more volatile fund at 17.0% annualized versus 11.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: GCAD -16.1% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both GCAD and VYM?
GCAD and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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 GCAD and VYM?
29.6% of GCAD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.7% of VYM's is in holdings GCAD also owns. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in GCAD and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GCAD or VYM?
GCAD yields 1.87% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GCAD?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. GCAD 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 49.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.