GVAL vs VYM
Cambria Global Value ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GVAL or VYM?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. GVAL led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VYM over the full window. GVAL is less concentrated, with 23.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | GVAL | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.66% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $593M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.38% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 121 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +23.78%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +39.16%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +29.88%Best | +18.64% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.98%Best | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.7% | 13.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -46.8% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,096Best | $17,845 |
| Top 10 Weight | 23.0%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Cambria Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 11, 2014 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 12, 2014 to Sep 4, 2026 (12.5 years).
GVAL 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 12.5 years both funds cover.
GVAL vs VYM Performance
Cambria Global Value ETF (GVAL) is an ETF from Cambria Investment Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GVAL returned +39.16% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, GVAL is up 23.78% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, GVAL compounded at +29.88% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +14.98% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.48% annualized vs +7.23%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GVAL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.7% compared with 13.6% 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 -46.8% for GVAL and -35.7% 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GVAL charges 0.66% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $66 vs $4 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GVAL currently yields 2.38% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
1.3% of GVAL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.1% of VYM's money is in holdings GVAL also owns.
GVAL and VYM share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 113 positions we hold weights for in GVAL and 603 in VYM, against full books of 121 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 568 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for GVAL (97.3% of the fund), and 5 for GVAL that do not appear in VYM (6.2%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GVAL 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, GVAL or VYM?
GVAL has an expense ratio of 0.66% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GVAL or VYM?
Over the past year GVAL returned +39.16% vs +20.84% for VYM, so GVAL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), GVAL annualized +7.23% vs +9.48% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GVAL or VYM?
GVAL has been the more volatile fund at 18.7% annualized versus 13.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: GVAL -46.8% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both GVAL and VYM?
GVAL and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 GVAL and VYM?
1.3% of GVAL's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.1% of VYM's is in holdings GVAL also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 113 positions we hold weights for in GVAL and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GVAL or VYM?
GVAL yields 2.38% while VYM yields 2.24%, so GVAL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GVAL?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. GVAL led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VYM over the full window. GVAL is less concentrated, with 23.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.