GFGF vs VYM
Guru Favorite Stocks ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GFGF or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.0%.
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 | GFGF | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.66% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $33M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.21% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 29 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +4.78% | +15.29%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.60% | +22.23%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.90% | +18.81%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.14% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1% | 13.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -28.0% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $15,000 | $16,927Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 51.0% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | GuruFocus Investments, LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 15, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 16, 2021 to Sep 3, 2026 (4.7 years).
GFGF 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 4.7 years both funds cover.
GFGF vs VYM Performance
Guru Favorite Stocks ETF (GFGF) is an ETF from GuruFocus Investments, LLC and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GFGF returned +11.60% while VYM returned +22.23%. Year to date, GFGF is up 4.78% versus a gain of 15.29% for VYM.
Over three years, GFGF compounded at +16.90% per year against +18.81% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GFGF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.1% compared with 13.6% 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 -28.0% for GFGF 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GFGF charges 0.66% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $66 vs $4 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GFGF currently yields 0.21% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
14.1% of GFGF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 3.9% of VYM's money is in holdings GFGF also owns.
GFGF and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, GFGF as of Aug 18, 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.
4 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in GFGF and 603 in VYM, against full books of 29 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 566 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for GFGF (93.5% of the fund), and 23 for GFGF that do not appear in VYM (76.4%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GFGF 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, GFGF or VYM?
GFGF has an expense ratio of 0.66% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GFGF or VYM?
Over the past year GFGF returned +11.60% vs +22.23% 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, GFGF or VYM?
GFGF has been the more volatile fund at 17.1% annualized versus 13.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: GFGF -28.0% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both GFGF and VYM?
GFGF and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 GFGF and VYM?
14.1% of GFGF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 3.9% of VYM's is in holdings GFGF also owns. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in GFGF and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GFGF or VYM?
GFGF yields 0.21% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GFGF?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.