GLU vs VYM
The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GLU or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth 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 | GLU | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.40% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $144M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.40% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 272 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -3.20% | +11.47%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.96% | +15.94%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.17% | +18.03%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.18% | +12.35%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.1% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -64.9% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,873 | $17,901Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 25, 2004 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 21, 2026 (19.8 years).
GLU 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
GLU vs VYM Performance
The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust (GLU) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GLU returned +5.96% while VYM returned +15.94%. Year to date, GLU is down 3.20% versus a gain of 11.47% for VYM.
Over three years, GLU compounded at +17.17% per year against +18.03% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +5.18% and +12.35% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.82% annualized vs +1.36%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GLU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.1% compared with 14.6% 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 -64.9% for GLU and -58.8% 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 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GLU charges 1.40% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $140 vs $4 annually, a gap of $136 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GLU currently yields 6.40% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 25.3% of VYM's money is in holdings GLU also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for GLU, our book for it lists positions totalling 116.1% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
VYM and GLU share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, GLU as of Mar 31, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
69 positions in common, counted across the 257 positions we hold weights for in GLU and 557 in VYM, against full books of 272 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GLU | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.24% | 7.35% | 7.11% |
| NFGNational Fuel Gas Co | 4.44% | 0.03% | 4.41% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 2.17% | 0.28% | 1.89% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 1.41% | 0.74% | 0.67% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.07% | 1.86% | 1.79% |
| BKBank Of New York Mellon Corp | 1.45% | 0.44% | 1.01% |
| SOSouthern Co. | 1.37% | 0.43% | 0.94% |
| PORPortland General | 1.71% | 0.02% | 1.69% |
| AEEAmeren Corp. | 1.57% | 0.12% | 1.45% |
| BACBank Of America Corp. | 0.02% | 1.66% | 1.64% |
25.3% of VYM is already inside GLU.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GLU or VYM?
GLU has an expense ratio of 1.40% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $136 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GLU or VYM?
Over the past year GLU returned +5.96% vs +15.94% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), GLU annualized +1.36% vs +6.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GLU or VYM?
GLU has been the more volatile fund at 18.1% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: GLU -64.9% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both GLU and VYM?
GLU and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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 GLU and VYM?
At least 25.3% of VYM's money is in holdings GLU also owns. Our book for GLU is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 69 positions in common, counted across the 257 positions we hold weights for in GLU and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GLU or VYM?
GLU yields 6.40% while VYM yields 2.22%, so GLU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GLU?
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.