GEM vs. VYMI

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GEM (Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity Index, while VYMI is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GEM returned 9.79%/yr vs 10.47%/yr for VYMI. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GEM charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VYMI.

Performance

GEM vs. VYMI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM) and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GEM achieves a 26.12% return, which is significantly higher than VYMI's 11.99% return. Over the past 10 years, GEM has underperformed VYMI with an annualized return of 9.79%, while VYMI has yielded a comparatively higher 10.47% annualized return.

GEM

• 1D: -1.13%
• 1M: 6.24%
• YTD: 26.12%
• 6M: 29.03%
• 1Y: 50.97%
• 3Y*: 23.48%
• 5Y*: 7.67%
• 10Y*: 9.79%

VYMI

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 1.65%
• YTD: 11.99%
• 6M: 15.12%
• 1Y: 30.78%
• 3Y*: 22.30%
• 5Y*: 12.09%
• 10Y*: 10.47%

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

GEM vs. VYMI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GEM Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF	26.12%	33.43%	6.66%	11.82%	-21.33%	-0.19%	13.23%	17.79%	-14.25%	36.43%
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	11.99%	38.05%	7.06%	17.07%	-7.02%	15.39%	-1.11%	18.43%	-12.65%	22.36%

Correlation

The correlation between GEM and VYMI is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2016	0.80

The correlation between GEM and VYMI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

GEM vs. VYMI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GEM	VYMI
Financial Services	34.0%	41.9%
Technology	14.1%	4.3%
Consumer Cyclical	13.0%	6.5%
Basic Materials	8.7%	6.8%
Industrials	7.5%	6.6%
Healthcare	5.4%	6.6%
Communication Services	4.5%	4.0%
Utilities	4.3%	5.6%
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	7.0%
Real Estate	1.5%	1.3%
Energy	1.3%	9.5%

Return for Risk

GEM vs. VYMI — Risk / Return Rank

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

GEM

GEM Risk / Return Rank: 79
GEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
GEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
GEM Omega Ratio Rank: 80
GEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
GEM Martin Ratio Rank: 77

VYMI

VYMI Risk / Return Rank: 70
VYMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
VYMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
VYMI Omega Ratio Rank: 74
VYMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VYMI Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

GEM vs. VYMI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM) and Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI). 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.

	GEM	VYMI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	2.39	+0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.46	3.25	+0.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.43	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.80	3.05	+0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.69	12.01	+2.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GEM vs. VYMI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is comparable to the VYMI Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GEM and VYMI, 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

	GEM	VYMI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.63	2.39	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44	0.82	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.62	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.65	-0.13

Drawdowns

GEM vs. VYMI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GEM drawdown since its inception was -37.02%, smaller than the maximum VYMI drawdown of -40.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GEM and VYMI.

Drawdown Indicators

	GEM	VYMI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.02%	-40.00%	+2.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.50%	-10.14%	-3.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.54%	-12.84%	-3.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.43%	-24.05%	-11.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.02%	-40.00%	+2.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.16%	-0.80%	-1.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.01%	-6.31%	-5.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.48%	2.57%	+0.91%

Volatility

GEM vs. VYMI - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM) has a higher volatility of 8.61% compared to Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) at 3.96%. This indicates that GEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VYMI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GEM	VYMI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.61%	3.96%	+4.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.01%	10.74%	+6.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.55%	12.94%	+6.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.71%	14.84%	+2.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.03%	16.87%	+2.16%

GEM vs. VYMI - Expense Ratio Comparison

GEM has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than VYMI's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

GEM vs. VYMI - Dividend Comparison

GEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.83%, less than VYMI's 3.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GEM Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF	1.83%	2.30%	2.58%	2.97%	2.96%	3.00%	1.63%	3.13%	2.08%	1.81%	1.98%	0.25%
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF	3.42%	3.68%	4.84%	4.58%	4.70%	4.30%	3.22%	4.20%	4.29%	3.21%	2.39%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GEM and VYMI in my portfolio?

GEM and VYMI have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GEM or VYMI?

GEM has higher volatility (8.61%) compared to VYMI (3.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GEM dropped -37.02% vs VYMI's -40.00%.

Which ETF is better, GEM or VYMI?

On 10-year performance, VYMI leads with 10.47% vs 9.79% for GEM. On fees, VYMI is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VYMI has been the lower-risk option at 3.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GEM or VYMI?

Over the 10-year period, VYMI has performed better with a 10.47% return vs 9.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GEM or VYMI?

VYMI is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for GEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GEM or VYMI?

VYMI has the higher dividend yield at 3.42%, compared with 1.83% for GEM.

What is the main difference between GEM and VYMI?

GEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while VYMI is Dividend. GEM tracks Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity Index, while VYMI tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for GEM and 0.07% for VYMI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 2.39), 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.