GIAX vs VYM
Nicholas Global Equity and Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GIAX or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.4%.
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 | GIAX | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.03% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $108M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 24.80% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 87 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +12.99% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.68% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.12% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.9% | 10.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -20.4% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.1 years | $13,158 | $13,863Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 58.4% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | XFunds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 29, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 30, 2024 to Sep 11, 2026 (2.1 years).
GIAX 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 2.1 years both funds cover.
GIAX vs VYM Performance
Nicholas Global Equity and Income ETF (GIAX) is an ETF from XFunds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GIAX returned +14.68% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, GIAX is up 12.99% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GIAX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.9% compared with 10.0% 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 -20.4% for GIAX and -14.5% 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 0.45. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GIAX charges 1.03% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $103 vs $4 annually, a gap of $99 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GIAX currently yields 24.80% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
3.4% of GIAX's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 7.3% of VYM's money is in holdings GIAX also owns.
VYM and GIAX share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 50 days apart, GIAX as of Aug 19, 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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 26 positions we hold weights for in GIAX and 603 in VYM, against full books of 87 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 567 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for GIAX (90.2% of the fund), and 23 for GIAX that do not appear in VYM (90.3%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GIAX | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.41% | 7.29% | 3.88% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GIAX 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, GIAX or VYM?
GIAX has an expense ratio of 1.03% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $99 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GIAX or VYM?
Over the past year GIAX returned +14.68% vs +17.57% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), GIAX annualized +13.96% vs +16.83% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GIAX or VYM?
GIAX has been the more volatile fund at 20.9% annualized versus 10.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: GIAX -20.4% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both GIAX and VYM?
GIAX and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.45, 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 GIAX and VYM?
7.3% of VYM's money is in holdings GIAX also owns. 7.3% of VYM's is in holdings GIAX also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 26 positions we hold weights for in GIAX and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GIAX or VYM?
GIAX yields 24.80% while VYM yields 2.22%, so GIAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GIAX?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 58.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.