PGP vs VYM
PIMCO Global StockPlus & Income Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, PGP or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. PGP led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 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 | PGP | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.64% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $101M | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.51% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 417 | 608 |
| YTD Return | -5.85% | +11.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.25% | +15.96%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.21%Best | +18.60% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.59% | +11.51%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 27.1% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -81.3% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,516 | $17,241Best |
| Fund Family | PIMCO (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 31, 2005 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Oct 14, 2026 (19.9 years).
PGP 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 19.9 years both funds cover.
PGP vs VYM Performance
PIMCO Global StockPlus & Income Fund (PGP) is an ETF from PIMCO (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year PGP returned +3.25% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, PGP is down 5.85% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Over three years, PGP compounded at +20.21% per year against +18.60% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +4.59% and +11.51% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.82% annualized vs -3.08%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PGP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.1% compared with 14.6% 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 -81.3% for PGP 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PGP charges 2.64% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $264 vs $4 annually, a gap of $260 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PGP currently yields 9.51% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 25 holdings in PGP and 602 in VYM, totalling 9.8% 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 243 days apart, PGP as of Dec 31, 2025 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 25 positions we hold weights for in PGP and 602 in VYM, against full books of 417 and 608.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PGP 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, PGP or VYM?
PGP has an expense ratio of 2.64% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $260 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PGP or VYM?
Over the past year PGP returned +3.25% vs +15.96% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), PGP annualized -3.08% vs +6.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PGP or VYM?
PGP has been the more volatile fund at 27.1% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: PGP -81.3% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both PGP and VYM?
PGP and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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, PGP or VYM?
PGP yields 9.51% while VYM yields 2.37%, so PGP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than PGP?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. PGP led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.