GSY vs VYM
Invesco Ultra Short Duration ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GSY or VYM?
Ultrashort Term Bond 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 | GSY | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.22% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $3.9B | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.22% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 412 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +2.55% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.70% | +13.75%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.21% | +18.81%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.84% | +11.63%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 1.0%Best | 14.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -12.1%Best | -53.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,073 | $17,334Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Ultrashort Term Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 12, 2008 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 12, 2008 to Oct 2, 2026 (18.6 years).
GSY 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.
GSY vs VYM Performance
Invesco Ultra Short Duration ETF (GSY) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GSY returned +3.70% while VYM returned +13.75%. Year to date, GSY is up 2.55% versus a gain of 10.00% for VYM.
Over three years, GSY compounded at +5.21% per year against +18.81% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +3.84% and +11.63% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +7.47% annualized vs +1.08%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.8% compared with 1.0% for GSY. 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 -12.1% for GSY and -53.6% 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 0.29. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GSY charges 0.22% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $22 vs $4 annually, a gap of $18 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GSY currently yields 4.22% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 242 holdings in GSY and 557 in VYM, totalling 52.3% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, GSY 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 242 positions we hold weights for in GSY and 557 in VYM, against full books of 412 and 608.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GSY 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, GSY or VYM?
GSY has an expense ratio of 0.22% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $18 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GSY or VYM?
Over the past year GSY returned +3.70% vs +13.75% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), GSY annualized +1.08% vs +7.47% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GSY or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 14.8% annualized versus 1.0% for GSY. Worst drawdown: GSY -12.1% vs VYM -53.6%.
Should I hold both GSY and VYM?
GSY and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.29, 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, GSY or VYM?
GSY yields 4.22% while VYM yields 2.22%, so GSY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GSY?
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.