GUT vs VYM
Gabelli Utility Trust (The) vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GUT or VYM?
All Cap Blend 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 | GUT | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.06% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $317M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 20.12% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 204 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +0.08% | +8.51%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.43% | +12.18%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.73% | +17.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.76% | +11.52%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.9% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -57.3%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,458 | $17,249Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 9, 1999 | 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 30, 2026 (19.9 years).
GUT 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 19.9 years both funds cover.
GUT vs VYM Performance
Gabelli Utility Trust (The) (GUT) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GUT returned +2.43% while VYM returned +12.18%. Year to date, GUT is up 0.08% versus a gain of 8.51% for VYM.
Over three years, GUT compounded at +16.73% per year against +17.98% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +2.76% and +11.52% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.67% annualized vs +0.06%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GUT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.9% 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 -57.3% for GUT 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 0.45. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GUT charges 2.06% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $206 vs $4 annually, a gap of $202 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GUT currently yields 20.12% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 14.1% of VYM's money is in holdings GUT also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for GUT, our book for it lists positions totalling 112.8% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
VYM and GUT share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, GUT 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.
67 positions in common, counted across the 193 positions we hold weights for in GUT and 557 in VYM, against full books of 204 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GUT | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 5.28% | 0.74% | 4.54% |
| OKEOneok Inc. | 4.29% | 0.23% | 4.06% |
| WECWec Energy Group Inc. | 4.20% | 0.14% | 4.06% |
| XELXcel Energy Inc. | 3.56% | 0.20% | 3.36% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.96% | 2.63% | 1.67% |
| SWXSouthwest Gas Holdings Inc Common Stock Usd 1 | 3.51% | 0.03% | 3.48% |
| EVRGEvergy Inc. | 3.43% | 0.08% | 3.35% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp | 2.90% | 0.40% | 2.50% |
| NFGNational Fuel Gas Co | 3.05% | 0.03% | 3.02% |
| OGEOge Energy Corp. | 2.91% | 0.04% | 2.87% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GUT 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, GUT or VYM?
GUT has an expense ratio of 2.06% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $202 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GUT or VYM?
Over the past year GUT returned +2.43% vs +12.18% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), GUT annualized +0.06% vs +6.67% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GUT or VYM?
GUT has been the more volatile fund at 20.9% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: GUT -57.3% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both GUT and VYM?
GUT and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.45, 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 GUT and VYM?
At least 14.1% of VYM's money is in holdings GUT also owns. Our book for GUT is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 67 positions in common, counted across the 193 positions we hold weights for in GUT and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GUT or VYM?
GUT yields 20.12% while VYM yields 2.22%, so GUT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GUT?
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.