KGLD vs VYM
Kurv Gold Enhanced Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, KGLD or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y 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 | KGLD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.99% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $162M | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 18.26% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 21 | 610 |
| YTD Return | -20.07% | +11.84%Best |
| 1Y Return | -12.42% | +16.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.83% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +10.75% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 28.8% | 11.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.0% | -6.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $10,385 | $12,116Best |
| Fund Family | Kurv | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 8, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 8, 2025 to Nov 6, 2026 (1.3 years).
KGLD 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 1.3 years both funds cover.
KGLD vs VYM Performance
Kurv Gold Enhanced Income ETF (KGLD) is an ETF from Kurv and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year KGLD returned -12.42% while VYM returned +16.77%. Year to date, KGLD is down 20.07% versus a gain of 11.84% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KGLD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 28.8% compared with 11.2% 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 -39.0% for KGLD and -6.7% 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 0.37. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KGLD charges 0.99% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $99 vs $4 annually, a gap of $95 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KGLD currently yields 18.26% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in KGLD and 602 in VYM, totalling 2.8% and 100.0% 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 47 days apart, KGLD as of Oct 17, 2026 and VYM as of Aug 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 1 positions we hold weights for in KGLD and 602 in VYM, against full books of 21 and 610.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of KGLD 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, KGLD or VYM?
KGLD has an expense ratio of 0.99% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $95 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KGLD or VYM?
Over the past year KGLD returned -12.42% vs +16.77% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), KGLD annualized +2.95% vs +15.91% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KGLD or VYM?
KGLD has been the more volatile fund at 28.8% annualized versus 11.2% for VYM. Worst drawdown: KGLD -39.0% vs VYM -6.7%.
Should I hold both KGLD and VYM?
KGLD and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.37, 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, KGLD or VYM?
KGLD yields 18.26% while VYM yields 2.23%, so KGLD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than KGLD?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.