GDV vs VYM
Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GDV or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. GDV led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
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 | GDV | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.30% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $3.5B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.23% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 715 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +12.48% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.80% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.39%Best | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.74% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.2% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -73.3% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,204 | $17,845Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 28, 2003 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 4, 2026 (19.8 years).
GDV 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
GDV vs VYM Performance
Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust (GDV) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GDV returned +18.80% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, GDV is up 12.48% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, GDV compounded at +20.39% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.74% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +7.00% annualized vs +3.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GDV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.2% compared with 14.5% 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 -73.3% for GDV 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GDV charges 1.30% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $130 vs $4 annually, a gap of $126 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GDV currently yields 5.23% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 68.1% of VYM's money is in holdings GDV also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for GDV, our book for it lists positions totalling 110.3% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 91 days apart, GDV 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.
190 positions in common, counted across the 677 positions we hold weights for in GDV and 602 in VYM, against full books of 715 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GDV | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.59% | 7.29% | 6.70% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 2.42% | 3.38% | 0.96% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.78% | 2.54% | 1.76% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp | 0.76% | 2.36% | 1.60% |
| BKBank Of New York Mellon Corp/The Bk Us Equity | 2.36% | 0.41% | 1.95% |
| PMPhilip Morris International Inc. | 1.41% | 1.17% | 0.24% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.15% | 2.01% | 1.86% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co | 1.00% | 1.05% | 0.05% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.15% | 1.85% | 1.70% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc | 0.07% | 1.93% | 1.86% |
68.1% of VYM is already inside GDV.
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, GDV or VYM?
GDV has an expense ratio of 1.30% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $126 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GDV or VYM?
Over the past year GDV returned +18.80% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), GDV annualized +3.74% vs +7.00% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GDV or VYM?
GDV has been the more volatile fund at 20.2% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: GDV -73.3% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both GDV and VYM?
GDV and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, 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 GDV and VYM?
At least 68.1% of VYM's money is in holdings GDV also owns. Our book for GDV is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 190 positions in common, counted across the 677 positions we hold weights for in GDV and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GDV or VYM?
GDV yields 5.23% while VYM yields 2.24%, so GDV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GDV?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. GDV led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.