GLDN vs VYM
Nicholas Gold Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GLDN or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 87.8%.
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 | GLDN | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.07% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $4M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.27% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 46 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -11.28% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +17.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.16% |
| Top 10 Weight | 87.8% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | XFunds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 18, 2026 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
GLDN 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
GLDN vs VYM Performance
Nicholas Gold Income ETF (GLDN) is an ETF from XFunds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Year to date, GLDN is down 11.28% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GLDN charges 1.07% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $107 vs $4 annually, a gap of $103 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GLDN currently yields 7.27% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
4.6% of GLDN's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.4% of VYM's money is in holdings GLDN also owns.
GLDN and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 50 days apart, GLDN 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 14 positions we hold weights for in GLDN and 603 in VYM, against full books of 46 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 567 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for GLDN (97.1% of the fund), and 5 for GLDN that do not appear in VYM (60.4%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GLDN | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEMNewmont Corp. | 4.61% | 0.41% | 4.20% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GLDN 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, GLDN or VYM?
GLDN has an expense ratio of 1.07% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $103 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between GLDN and VYM?
4.6% of GLDN's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.4% of VYM's is in holdings GLDN also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 14 positions we hold weights for in GLDN and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GLDN or VYM?
GLDN yields 7.27% while VYM yields 2.22%, so GLDN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GLDN?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 87.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.