GTO vs VYM
Invesco Total Return Bond ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GTO or VYM?
VYM has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM 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 | GTO | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.4B | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.90% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,857 | 608 |
| YTD Return | -2.16% | +11.86%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.58% | +16.81%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.11% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.58% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.7%Best | 14.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -21.1%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,713 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 10, 2016 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 10, 2016 to Oct 13, 2026 (10.7 years).
GTO 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
GTO vs VYM Performance
Invesco Total Return Bond ETF (GTO) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GTO returned -1.58% while VYM returned +16.81%. Year to date, GTO is down 2.16% versus a gain of 11.86% for VYM.
Over three years, GTO compounded at +5.11% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -0.58% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.75% annualized vs +1.01%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.0% compared with 5.7% for GTO. 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 -21.1% for GTO 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 0.50. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GTO charges 0.35% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $4 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GTO currently yields 4.90% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 7.1% of VYM's money is in holdings GTO also owns.
Stated as a floor: for GTO, our book for it covers 43.0% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VYM and GTO share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, GTO as of Sep 15, 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.
20 positions in common, counted across the 1,015 positions we hold weights for in GTO and 557 in VYM, against full books of 1,857 and 608.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GTO | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.03% | 1.50% | 1.47% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 0.00% | 1.34% | 1.34% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc/The | 0.01% | 1.13% | 1.12% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 0.02% | 0.89% | 0.87% |
| LOWLowes Cos., Inc. | 0.00% | 0.47% | 0.47% |
| DDominion Energy Inc. | 0.03% | 0.25% | 0.22% |
| FFord Motor Co | 0.02% | 0.23% | 0.21% |
| JXNJackson Financial Inc USD | 0.19% | 0.03% | 0.16% |
| FITBFifth Third Bancorp | 0.00% | 0.21% | 0.21% |
| EBAYEbay Inc. | 0.00% | 0.21% | 0.21% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GTO 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, GTO or VYM?
GTO has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GTO or VYM?
Over the past year GTO returned -1.58% vs +16.81% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), GTO annualized +1.01% vs +10.75% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GTO or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 14.0% annualized versus 5.7% for GTO. Worst drawdown: GTO -21.1% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both GTO and VYM?
GTO and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.50, 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 GTO and VYM?
At least 7.1% of VYM's money is in holdings GTO also owns. Our book for GTO is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 20 positions in common, counted across the 1,015 positions we hold weights for in GTO and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GTO or VYM?
GTO yields 4.90% while VYM yields 2.22%, so GTO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GTO?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM 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.