GDL vs VYM
The GDL Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GDL or VYM?
Mid 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 | GDL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.70% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $119M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.50% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 129 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +3.70% | +14.33%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.82% | +20.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.45% | +18.43%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.48% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.5%Best | 14.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -72.5% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,450 | $17,750Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 25, 2007 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 26, 2007 to Sep 8, 2026 (19.6 years).
GDL 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 19.6 years both funds cover.
GDL vs VYM Performance
The GDL Fund (GDL) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GDL returned +3.82% while VYM returned +20.01%. Year to date, GDL is up 3.70% versus a gain of 14.33% for VYM.
Over three years, GDL compounded at +8.45% per year against +18.43% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +4.48% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.94% annualized vs -2.73%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 8.5% for GDL. 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 -72.5% for GDL 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 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GDL charges 2.70% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $270 vs $4 annually, a gap of $266 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GDL currently yields 4.50% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.7% of VYM's money is in holdings GDL also owns.
Stated as a floor: for GDL, our book for it covers 82.4% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VYM and GDL share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 91 days apart, GDL 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.
12 positions in common, counted across the 115 positions we hold weights for in GDL and 602 in VYM, against full books of 129 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GDL | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JHGJanus Capital Group Inc | 2.21% | 0.03% | 2.18% |
| AESAes Corporation | 1.92% | 0.04% | 1.88% |
| PNMPnm Resources Inc | 1.52% | 0.02% | 1.50% |
| NSCNorfolk Southern Corp. | 0.55% | 0.29% | 0.26% |
| SLBSlb Ltd. | 0.25% | 0.29% | 0.04% |
| CRBGCorebridge Financial Inc | 0.29% | 0.03% | 0.26% |
| KVUEKenvue Inc | 0.15% | 0.15% | 0.00% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | -0.46% | 0.67% | 1.13% |
| TEXTerex Corp | 0.15% | 0.03% | 0.12% |
| AVAAvista Corp | 0.14% | 0.01% | 0.13% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GDL and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GDL or VYM?
GDL has an expense ratio of 2.70% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $266 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GDL or VYM?
Over the past year GDL returned +3.82% vs +20.01% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), GDL annualized -2.73% vs +6.94% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GDL or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 8.5% for GDL. Worst drawdown: GDL -72.5% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both GDL and VYM?
GDL and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, 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 GDL and VYM?
At least 1.7% of VYM's money is in holdings GDL also owns. Our book for GDL is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 12 positions in common, counted across the 115 positions we hold weights for in GDL and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GDL or VYM?
GDL yields 4.50% while VYM yields 2.24%, so GDL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GDL?
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.