GHYG vs VTI
iShares US & International High Yield Corp Bond ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, GHYG or VTI?
High Yield Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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 | GHYG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $197M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.22% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 1,750 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -3.48% | +12.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.81% | +16.31%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.68% | +20.83%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.16% | +11.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.0%Best | 14.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -52.4% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,128 | $17,537Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 3, 2012 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 5, 2012 to Sep 14, 2026 (14.4 years).
GHYG vs VTI 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 14.4 years both funds cover.
GHYG vs VTI Performance
iShares US & International High Yield Corp Bond ETF (GHYG) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GHYG returned -2.81% while VTI returned +16.31%. Year to date, GHYG is down 3.48% versus a gain of 12.08% for VTI.
Over three years, GHYG compounded at +6.68% per year against +20.83% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +2.16% and +11.89% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.72% annualized vs +4.08%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 8.0% for GHYG. 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 -52.4% for GHYG and -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GHYG charges 0.40% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $3 annually, a gap of $37 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GHYG currently yields 6.22% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 622 holdings in GHYG and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 38.0% and 98.1% of the two funds. That is not enough of GHYG to divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 2 positions appear in both.
2 positions in common, counted across the 622 positions we hold weights for in GHYG and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 1,750 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GHYG and VTI 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, GHYG or VTI?
GHYG has an expense ratio of 0.40% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $37 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GHYG or VTI?
Over the past year GHYG returned -2.81% vs +16.31% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), GHYG annualized +4.08% vs +12.72% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GHYG or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 8.0% for GHYG. Worst drawdown: GHYG -52.4% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both GHYG and VTI?
GHYG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, GHYG or VTI?
GHYG yields 6.22% while VTI yields 1.03%, so GHYG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than GHYG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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.