GEW vs VYM
Cambria Global EW ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GEW or VYM?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. GEW is less concentrated, with 17.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.8%.
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 | GEW | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $142M | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.59% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 455 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +8.50% | +11.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.96% | +15.96%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.60% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.51% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.2%Best | 10.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.2% | -6.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $11,362 | $11,737Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 17.6%Best | 25.8% |
| Fund Family | Cambria Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 25, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 25, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.1 years).
GEW 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 1.1 years both funds cover.
GEW vs VYM Performance
Cambria Global EW ETF (GEW) is an ETF from Cambria Investment Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GEW returned +11.96% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, GEW is up 8.50% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.8% compared with 10.2% for GEW. 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 -8.2% for GEW 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GEW charges 0.30% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $30 vs $4 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GEW currently yields 1.59% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
20.1% of GEW's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 77.6% of VYM's money is in holdings GEW also owns.
Most of VYM is already inside GEW. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
130 positions in common, counted across the 436 positions we hold weights for in GEW and 602 in VYM, against full books of 455 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 444 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for GEW (20.5% of the fund), and 124 for GEW that do not appear in VYM (43.2%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GEW | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.83% | 6.94% | 6.11% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.10% | 3.83% | 2.73% |
| XOMExxonmobil Corp. | 1.78% | 2.70% | 0.92% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.30% | 2.58% | 2.28% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.33% | 1.83% | 1.50% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 0.42% | 1.65% | 1.23% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.27% | 1.76% | 1.49% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.30% | 1.54% | 1.24% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 0.25% | 1.47% | 1.22% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.23% | 1.46% | 1.23% |
77.6% of VYM is already inside GEW.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GEW or VYM?
GEW has an expense ratio of 0.30% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GEW or VYM?
Over the past year GEW returned +11.96% vs +15.96% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), GEW annualized +12.31% vs +15.67% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GEW or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 10.8% annualized versus 10.2% for GEW. Worst drawdown: GEW -8.2% vs VYM -6.7%.
Should I hold both GEW and VYM?
GEW and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 GEW and VYM?
77.6% of VYM's money is in holdings GEW also owns. 77.6% of VYM's is in holdings GEW also owns. They hold 130 positions in common, counted across the 436 positions we hold weights for in GEW and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GEW or VYM?
GEW yields 1.59% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GEW?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. GEW is less concentrated, with 17.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.