GHYG vs VYM
iShares US & International High Yield Corp Bond ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GHYG or VYM?
High Yield Bond 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 | GHYG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $199M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.29% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 1,750 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -2.41% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.02% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.13% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.40% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.0%Best | 13.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -52.4% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,259 | $17,845Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 3, 2012 | Nov 10, 2006 |
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 4, 2026 (14.4 years).
GHYG 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 14.4 years both funds cover.
GHYG vs VYM Performance
iShares US & International High Yield Corp Bond ETF (GHYG) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GHYG returned -1.02% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, GHYG is down 2.41% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, GHYG compounded at +7.13% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +2.40% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.12% annualized vs +4.17%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.1% 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 -35.7% 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GHYG charges 0.40% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $4 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GHYG currently yields 6.29% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.1% of VYM's money is in holdings GHYG also owns.
Stated as a floor: for GHYG, our book for it covers 56.1% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
2 positions in common, counted across the 1,008 positions we hold weights for in GHYG and 603 in VYM, against full books of 1,750 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GHYG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTCHII 5 12/15/27 14Match Group Inc | 0.03% | 0.04% | 0.01% |
| PFSI 4.25 02/15/29 1Pennymac Financial Services Inc | 0.04% | 0.01% | 0.03% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GHYG 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, GHYG or VYM?
GHYG has an expense ratio of 0.40% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GHYG or VYM?
Over the past year GHYG returned -1.02% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), GHYG annualized +4.17% vs +10.12% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GHYG or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.1% annualized versus 8.0% for GHYG. Worst drawdown: GHYG -52.4% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both GHYG and VYM?
GHYG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 VYM?
GHYG yields 6.29% while VYM yields 2.24%, so GHYG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GHYG?
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.