GYLD vs VTI
Arrow Dow Jones Global Yield ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, GYLD or VTI?
Allocation/Balanced against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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 | GYLD | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $38M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.20% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 155 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +10.85% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.65% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.15% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.18% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.3% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -70.0% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,144 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | Arrow Investment Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Allocation/Balanced | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 8, 2012 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 8, 2012 to Sep 11, 2026 (14.3 years).
GYLD vs VTI 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 14.3 years both funds cover.
GYLD vs VTI Performance
Arrow Dow Jones Global Yield ETF (GYLD) is an ETF from Arrow Investment Trust and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GYLD returned +12.65% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, GYLD is up 10.85% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, GYLD compounded at +14.15% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +7.18% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.03% annualized vs -0.92%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GYLD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.3% compared with 14.4% for VTI. 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 -70.0% for GYLD and -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GYLD charges 0.75% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $3 annually, a gap of $72 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GYLD currently yields 7.20% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 118 holdings in GYLD and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 79.7% and 90.6% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 17 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, GYLD as of Aug 18, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 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 118 positions we hold weights for in GYLD and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 155 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GYLD | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CALMCal-maine Foods Inc | 0.83% | 0.00% | 0.83% |
| WUWestern Union Co. | 0.79% | 0.00% | 0.79% |
| SLGSl Green Realty Corp. | 0.76% | 0.00% | 0.76% |
| GOODGladstone Commercial Corp. | 0.68% | 0.00% | 0.68% |
| DEAEasterly Government Properties Inc | 0.67% | 0.00% | 0.67% |
| GMREGlobal Medical Reit Inc [Gmre] | 0.67% | 0.00% | 0.67% |
| UHTUniversal Health Rlty Income | 0.67% | 0.00% | 0.67% |
| CLW:AUCharter Hall Long Wale Reit | 0.66% | 0.00% | 0.66% |
| AMAntero Midstream Corp | 0.65% | 0.01% | 0.64% |
| BDNBrandywine Realty Trust Reit Usd.01 | 0.64% | 0.00% | 0.64% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GYLD and VTI 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, GYLD or VTI?
GYLD has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $72 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GYLD or VTI?
Over the past year GYLD returned +12.65% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), GYLD annualized -0.92% vs +13.03% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GYLD or VTI?
GYLD has been the more volatile fund at 16.3% annualized versus 14.4% for VTI. Worst drawdown: GYLD -70.0% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both GYLD and VTI?
GYLD and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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, GYLD or VTI?
GYLD yields 7.20% while VTI yields 1.03%, so GYLD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than GYLD?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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.