GSC vs VYM
Goldman Sachs Small Cap Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GSC or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. GSC led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. GSC is less concentrated, with 16.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | GSC | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $277M | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.13% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 197 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +13.63%Best | +9.22% |
| 1Y Return | +17.44%Best | +12.81% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.82% | +18.21%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.39% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.4% | 10.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -27.0% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $15,942 | $16,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 16.3%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Goldman Sachs Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 3, 2023 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 5, 2023 to Oct 1, 2026 (3 years).
GSC 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 3 years both funds cover.
GSC vs VYM Performance
Goldman Sachs Small Cap Equity ETF (GSC) is an ETF from Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GSC returned +17.44% while VYM returned +12.81%. Year to date, GSC is up 13.63% versus a gain of 9.22% for VYM.
Over three years, GSC compounded at +16.82% per year against +18.21% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GSC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.4% compared with 10.9% 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 -27.0% for GSC 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GSC charges 0.75% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $4 annually, a gap of $71 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GSC currently yields 0.13% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
20.4% of GSC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.4% of VYM's money is in holdings GSC also owns.
GSC and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, GSC as of Sep 15, 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.
17 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in GSC and 557 in VYM, against full books of 197 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 511 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for GSC (96.6% of the fund), and 74 for GSC that do not appear in VYM (73.9%).
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 GSC | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PIPRPiper Sandler Companies | 1.79% | 0.02% | 1.77% |
| TEXTerex Corp | 1.67% | 0.03% | 1.64% |
| VLYValley National Bancorp | 1.53% | 0.03% | 1.50% |
| RNSTRenasant Corp. | 1.50% | 0.02% | 1.48% |
| COLBColumbia Banking System Inc Common Stock | 1.44% | 0.04% | 1.40% |
| GBCIGlacier Bancorp Inc | 1.44% | 0.03% | 1.41% |
| WSBCWesbanco, Inc. | 1.43% | 0.02% | 1.41% |
| SSBSouth State Corp | 1.27% | 0.04% | 1.23% |
| OASChord Energy Corp | 1.18% | 0.03% | 1.15% |
| SRSpire Inc. | 1.10% | 0.02% | 1.08% |
20.4% of GSC is already inside VYM.
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, GSC or VYM?
GSC has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $71 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GSC or VYM?
Over the past year GSC returned +17.44% vs +12.81% for VYM, so GSC leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GSC or VYM?
GSC has been the more volatile fund at 18.4% annualized versus 10.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: GSC -27.0% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both GSC and VYM?
GSC and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 GSC and VYM?
20.4% of GSC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.4% of VYM's is in holdings GSC also owns. They hold 17 positions in common, counted across the 98 positions we hold weights for in GSC and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GSC or VYM?
GSC yields 0.13% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GSC?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. GSC led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. GSC is less concentrated, with 16.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.