GSG vs VYM
iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GSG or VYM?
Commodities against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. GSG led over 1Y and 5Y, VYM over 3Y 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 | GSG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $991M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 23 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +50.98%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +53.10%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.32% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +17.10%Best | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.4% | 14.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -89.6% | -52.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $22,018Best | $17,845 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Commodities | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 10, 2006 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 22, 2008 to Sep 4, 2026 (18.3 years).
GSG 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 18.3 years both funds cover.
GSG vs VYM Performance
iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) 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 GSG returned +53.10% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, GSG is up 50.98% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, GSG compounded at +16.32% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +17.10% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +7.88% annualized vs -3.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GSG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.4% compared with 14.9% 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 -89.6% for GSG and -52.5% 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 0.48. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GSG 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, GSG currently yields 0.00% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in GSG and 603 in VYM, totalling 2.1% and 99.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in GSG and 603 in VYM, against full books of 23 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GSG 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, GSG or VYM?
GSG 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, GSG or VYM?
Over the past year GSG returned +53.10% vs +20.84% for VYM, so GSG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), GSG annualized -3.72% vs +7.88% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GSG or VYM?
GSG has been the more volatile fund at 23.4% annualized versus 14.9% for VYM. Worst drawdown: GSG -89.6% vs VYM -52.5%.
Should I hold both GSG and VYM?
GSG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.48, 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, GSG or VYM?
GSG yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GSG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. GSG led over 1Y and 5Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.