GWX vs VYM
State Street SPDR S&P International Small Cap ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, GWX or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. GWX led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. GWX is less concentrated, with 2.8% 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 | GWX | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $909M | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.61% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 2,076 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +9.71% | +11.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.01% | +15.96%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.12%Best | +18.60% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.51% | +11.51%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.1% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -64.8% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,076 | $17,241Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 2.8%Best | 25.8% |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 20, 2007 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 26, 2007 to Oct 14, 2026 (19.5 years).
GWX 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 19.5 years both funds cover.
GWX vs VYM Performance
State Street SPDR S&P International Small Cap ETF (GWX) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year GWX returned +15.01% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, GWX is up 9.71% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Over three years, GWX compounded at +19.12% per year against +18.60% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +5.51% and +11.51% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.60% annualized vs +1.85%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
GWX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.1% compared with 14.7% 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 -64.8% for GWX and -58.8% 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GWX charges 0.40% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $4 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GWX currently yields 2.61% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
0.2% of GWX's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.6% of VYM's money is in holdings GWX also owns.
VYM and GWX share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 2,062 positions we hold weights for in GWX and 602 in VYM, against full books of 2,076 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 570 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for GWX (96.3% of the fund), and 55 for GWX that do not appear in VYM (2.5%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GWX 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, GWX or VYM?
GWX has an expense ratio of 0.40% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GWX or VYM?
Over the past year GWX returned +15.01% vs +15.96% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), GWX annualized +1.85% vs +6.60% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GWX or VYM?
GWX has been the more volatile fund at 19.1% annualized versus 14.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: GWX -64.8% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both GWX and VYM?
GWX and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 GWX and VYM?
1.6% of VYM's money is in holdings GWX also owns. 1.6% of VYM's is in holdings GWX also owns. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 2,062 positions we hold weights for in GWX and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, GWX or VYM?
GWX yields 2.61% while VYM yields 2.37%, so GWX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than GWX?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. GWX led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. GWX is less concentrated, with 2.8% 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.