VGI vs VYM
Virtus Global Multi-Sector Income Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, VGI or VYM?
Diversified Sectoral Bond against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VGI is less concentrated, with 11.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | VGI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.74% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $88M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 12.32% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 646 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -4.82% | +9.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.23% | +13.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.12% | +17.30%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.66% | +11.45%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.2% | 13.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -63.3% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,334 | $17,195Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 11.4%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Virtus Investment Partners | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Diversified Sectoral Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 23, 2012 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 24, 2012 to Sep 24, 2026 (14.6 years).
VGI 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 14.6 years both funds cover.
VGI vs VYM Performance
Virtus Global Multi-Sector Income Fund (VGI) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VGI returned -3.23% while VYM returned +13.77%. Year to date, VGI is down 4.82% versus a gain of 9.71% for VYM.
Over three years, VGI compounded at +10.12% per year against +17.30% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +0.66% and +11.45% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.74% annualized vs -2.79%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VGI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.2% compared with 13.1% 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 -63.3% for VGI 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 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VGI charges 1.74% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $174 vs $4 annually, a gap of $170 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VGI currently yields 12.32% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
0.1% of VYM's money is in holdings VGI also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, VGI as of May 29, 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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 472 positions we hold weights for in VGI and 557 in VYM, against full books of 646 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 527 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for VGI (97.0% of the fund), and 465 for VGI that do not appear in VYM (99.8%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VGI | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARESAres Management Corp Preferred Stock 10/27 6.75 | 0.01% | 0.10% | 0.09% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VGI 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, VGI or VYM?
VGI has an expense ratio of 1.74% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $170 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VGI or VYM?
Over the past year VGI returned -3.23% vs +13.77% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), VGI annualized -2.79% vs +9.74% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VGI or VYM?
VGI has been the more volatile fund at 14.2% annualized versus 13.1% for VYM. Worst drawdown: VGI -63.3% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both VGI and VYM?
VGI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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, VGI or VYM?
VGI yields 12.32% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VGI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than VGI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VGI is less concentrated, with 11.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.