GDIV vs VYM
Harbor Dividend Growth Leaders ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GDIV or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.1%.
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 | GDIV | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $238M | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.26% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 106 | 610 |
| YTD Return | +13.12% | +16.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.52% | +18.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.21% | +20.46%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.54% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.0%Tie | 14.0%Tie |
| Max Drawdown | -18.9% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.5 years | $16,552 | $17,512Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.1% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Harbor Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 29, 2010 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 23, 2022 to Nov 11, 2026 (4.5 years).
GDIV 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 4.5 years both funds cover.
GDIV vs VYM Performance
Harbor Dividend Growth Leaders ETF (GDIV) is an ETF from Harbor Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GDIV returned +16.52% while VYM returned +18.97%. Year to date, GDIV is up 13.12% versus a gain of 16.00% for VYM.
Over three years, GDIV compounded at +16.21% per year against +20.46% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GDIV and VYM have been equally volatile, both at 14.0% annualized.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -18.9% for GDIV 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 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GDIV charges 0.50% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $4 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GDIV currently yields 1.26% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
53.8% of GDIV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 25.7% of VYM's money is in holdings GDIV also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, GDIV as of Oct 16, 2026 and VYM as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
31 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in GDIV and 602 in VYM, against full books of 106 and 610.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 546 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for GDIV (72.9% of the fund), and 20 for GDIV that do not appear in VYM (42.4%).
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 GDIV | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.39% | 6.94% | 4.55% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 2.97% | 2.58% | 0.39% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 2.95% | 1.39% | 1.56% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 2.31% | 1.65% | 0.66% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 3.11% | 0.37% | 2.74% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 2.01% | 1.47% | 0.54% |
| GILDGilead Sciences | 2.54% | 0.73% | 1.81% |
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 1.55% | 1.42% | 0.13% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 2.25% | 0.69% | 1.56% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 1.73% | 0.86% | 0.87% |
53.8% of GDIV 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, GDIV or VYM?
GDIV has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GDIV or VYM?
Over the past year GDIV returned +16.52% vs +18.97% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GDIV or VYM?
GDIV and VYM have been equally volatile, both at 14.0% annualized. Worst drawdown: GDIV -18.9% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both GDIV and VYM?
GDIV and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between GDIV and VYM?
53.8% of GDIV's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 25.7% of VYM's is in holdings GDIV also owns. They hold 31 positions in common, counted across the 51 positions we hold weights for in GDIV and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GDIV or VYM?
GDIV yields 1.26% while VYM yields 2.23%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GDIV?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.