VDY.TO vs. CGL-C.TO

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

VDY.TO (Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF) and CGL-C.TO (iShares Gold Bullion ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VDY.TO is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE Canada High Dividend Yield Index, while CGL-C.TO is a Precious Metals fund tracking the Gold. Both are passively managed. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VDY.TO charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for CGL-C.TO.

Performance

VDY.TO vs. CGL-C.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VDY.TO) and iShares Gold Bullion ETF (CGL-C.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VDY.TO achieves a 21.16% return, which is significantly higher than CGL-C.TO's 4.95% return.

VDY.TO

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: 4.42%
• YTD: 21.16%
• 6M: 21.53%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CGL-C.TO

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: -2.88%
• YTD: 4.95%
• 6M: 6.74%
• 1Y: 34.64%
• 3Y*: 32.37%
• 5Y*: 21.43%
• 10Y*: 13.90%

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

VDY.TO vs. CGL-C.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VDY.TO Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF	21.16%	21.33%
CGL-C.TO iShares Gold Bullion ETF	4.95%	29.73%

Correlation

The correlation between VDY.TO and CGL-C.TO is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 9, 2025	0.14

Return for Risk

VDY.TO vs. CGL-C.TO — Risk / Return Rank

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

CGL-C.TO

CGL-C.TO Risk / Return Rank: 37
CGL-C.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
CGL-C.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
CGL-C.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 41
CGL-C.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
CGL-C.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

VDY.TO vs. CGL-C.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VDY.TO) and iShares Gold Bullion ETF (CGL-C.TO). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VDY.TO	CGL-C.TO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.34	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	1.27	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.90	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	5.72	0.60	+5.12

Drawdowns

VDY.TO vs. CGL-C.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDY.TO drawdown since its inception was -3.12%, smaller than the maximum CGL-C.TO drawdown of -33.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDY.TO and CGL-C.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VDY.TO	CGL-C.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.12%	-33.04%	+29.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-17.37%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-17.37%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-17.55%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.78%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.68%	-14.88%	+14.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.43%	-12.24%	+11.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	7.12%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VDY.TO	CGL-C.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.29%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	21.55%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.31%	25.34%	-17.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.31%	16.97%	-8.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.31%	15.56%	-7.25%

VDY.TO vs. CGL-C.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VDY.TO has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is lower than CGL-C.TO's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

VDY.TO vs. CGL-C.TO - Dividend Comparison

VDY.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.89%, while CGL-C.TO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CGL-C.TO iShares Gold Bullion ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VDY.TO Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF	2.89%	3.59%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VDY.TO and CGL-C.TO in my portfolio?

VDY.TO and CGL-C.TO have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VDY.TO or CGL-C.TO?

On fees, VDY.TO is cheaper at 0.22% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VDY.TO or CGL-C.TO?

VDY.TO is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for CGL-C.TO.

What is the main difference between VDY.TO and CGL-C.TO?

VDY.TO is categorized as Dividend, while CGL-C.TO is Precious Metals. VDY.TO tracks FTSE Canada High Dividend Yield Index, while CGL-C.TO tracks Gold. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.22% for VDY.TO and 0.55% for CGL-C.TO.