GDV vs. VHYAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GDV (The Gabelli Dividend and Income Trust) and VHYAX (Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - GDV is a Dividend fund managed by Gabelli Funds, while VHYAX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, GDV returned 8.32%/yr vs 11.62%/yr for VHYAX. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GDV charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VHYAX.

Performance

GDV vs. VHYAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The Gabelli Dividend and Income Trust (GDV) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHYAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GDV achieves a 7.28% return, which is significantly lower than VHYAX's 12.92% return.

GDV

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: 0.10%
• YTD: 7.28%
• 6M: 9.81%
• 1Y: 24.13%
• 3Y*: 19.59%
• 5Y*: 8.32%
• 10Y*: 10.95%

VHYAX

• 1D: 1.21%
• 1M: 3.83%
• YTD: 12.92%
• 6M: 12.47%
• 1Y: 26.66%
• 3Y*: 19.01%
• 5Y*: 11.62%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GDV vs. VHYAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
GDV The Gabelli Dividend and Income Trust	7.28%	22.83%	18.14%	11.93%	-18.61%	32.83%	4.89%	12.77%
VHYAX Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares	12.92%	15.39%	17.39%	6.68%	-0.45%	26.08%	1.06%	16.67%

Correlation

The correlation between GDV and VHYAX is 0.65, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2019	0.80

The correlation between GDV and VHYAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (1 year) to 0.80 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GDV vs. VHYAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

GDV

GDV Risk / Return Rank: 48
GDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
GDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
GDV Omega Ratio Rank: 48
GDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
GDV Martin Ratio Rank: 53

VHYAX

VHYAX Risk / Return Rank: 81
VHYAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
VHYAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
VHYAX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
VHYAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
VHYAX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

GDV vs. VHYAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Gabelli Dividend and Income Trust (GDV) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHYAX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	GDV	VHYAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	2.69	-0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	3.82	-0.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.49	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.49	4.11	-1.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.72	15.57	-4.85
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GDV vs. VHYAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GDV Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is comparable to the VHYAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GDV and VHYAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GDV	VHYAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.09	2.69	-0.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.83	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.72	-0.33

Drawdowns

GDV vs. VHYAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GDV drawdown since its inception was -68.88%, which is greater than VHYAX's maximum drawdown of -35.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GDV and VHYAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GDV	VHYAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.88%	-35.14%	-33.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.75%	-6.75%	-3.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.07%	-14.42%	-1.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.33%	-15.87%	-12.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-53.09%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.09%	0.00%	-1.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.30%	-3.77%	-5.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.26%	1.78%	+0.48%

Volatility

GDV vs. VHYAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for The Gabelli Dividend and Income Trust (GDV) is 2.34%, while Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares (VHYAX) has a volatility of 2.93%. This indicates that GDV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VHYAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GDV	VHYAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.34%	2.93%	-0.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.66%	7.76%	+0.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.61%	10.31%	+1.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.87%	14.00%	+2.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.65%	17.97%	+3.68%

GDV vs. VHYAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GDV has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than VHYAX's 0.08% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

GDV vs. VHYAX - Dividend Comparison

GDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.96%, more than VHYAX's 2.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GDV The Gabelli Dividend and Income Trust	5.96%	6.05%	5.47%	6.10%	6.84%	5.11%	6.15%	6.01%	7.21%	5.64%	6.59%	6.72%
VHYAX Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.16%	2.42%	2.72%	3.09%	2.98%	2.74%	3.16%	3.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GDV and VHYAX in my portfolio?

GDV and VHYAX have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GDV or VHYAX?

VHYAX has higher volatility (2.93%) compared to GDV (2.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GDV dropped -68.88% vs VHYAX's -35.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VHYAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.69 vs 2.09), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.