VYMI vs. SGOL
VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF) and SGOL (abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VYMI is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index, while SGOL is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VYMI returned 11.24%/yr vs 12.34%/yr for SGOL. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VYMI charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for SGOL.
Performance
VYMI vs. SGOL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VYMI achieves a 12.90% return, which is significantly higher than SGOL's -2.39% return. Over the past 10 years, VYMI has underperformed SGOL with an annualized return of 11.24%, while SGOL has yielded a comparatively higher 12.34% annualized return.
VYMI
- 1D
- 0.54%
- 1M
- 2.62%
- YTD
- 12.90%
- 6M
- 14.90%
- 1Y
- 31.26%
- 3Y*
- 21.73%
- 5Y*
- 12.29%
- 10Y*
- 11.24%
SGOL
- 1D
- 0.10%
- 1M
- -7.35%
- YTD
- -2.39%
- 6M
- -2.15%
- 1Y
- 22.44%
- 3Y*
- 29.18%
- 5Y*
- 17.34%
- 10Y*
- 12.34%
VYMI vs. SGOL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF | 12.90% | 38.05% | 7.06% | 17.07% | -7.02% | 15.39% | -1.11% | 18.43% | -12.65% | 22.36% |
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | -2.39% | 63.99% | 26.90% | 12.99% | -0.51% | -3.94% | 25.03% | 18.21% | -1.94% | 12.86% |
Correlation
The correlation between VYMI and SGOL is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.40 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.39 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 2, 2016 | 0.22 |
The correlation between VYMI and SGOL shifts across timeframes, from 0.22 (all time) to 0.40 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VYMI vs. SGOL — Risk / Return Rank
VYMI
SGOL
VYMI vs. SGOL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) and abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| VYMI | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.36 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.82 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.41 | 1.19 | +0.22 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.96 | 0.99 | +1.97 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.60 | 2.85 | +8.75 |
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Drawdowns
VYMI vs. SGOL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VYMI drawdown since its inception was -40.00%, smaller than the maximum SGOL drawdown of -45.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VYMI and SGOL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VYMI | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -40.00% | -45.51% | +5.51% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.14% | -24.37% | +14.23% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.84% | -24.37% | +11.53% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.05% | -24.37% | +0.32% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -40.00% | -24.37% | -15.63% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -22.00% | +22.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.30% | -18.41% | +12.11% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.59% | 8.46% | -5.87% |
Volatility
VYMI vs. SGOL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) is 4.40%, while abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL) has a volatility of 7.69%. This indicates that VYMI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SGOL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VYMI | SGOL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.40% | 7.69% | -3.29% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.15% | 23.85% | -12.70% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.33% | 27.08% | -13.75% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.90% | 18.10% | -3.20% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.85% | 16.04% | +0.81% |
VYMI vs. SGOL - Expense Ratio Comparison
VYMI has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than SGOL's 0.17% 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
VYMI vs. SGOL - Dividend Comparison
VYMI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.39%, while SGOL has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SGOL abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VYMI Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF | 3.39% | 3.68% | 4.84% | 4.58% | 4.70% | 4.30% | 3.22% | 4.20% | 4.29% | 3.21% | 2.39% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VYMI and SGOL have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SGOL has higher volatility (7.69%) compared to VYMI (4.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VYMI dropped -40.00% vs SGOL's -45.51%.
On 10-year performance, SGOL leads with 12.34% vs 11.24% for VYMI. On fees, VYMI is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VYMI has been the lower-risk option at 4.40%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, SGOL has performed better with a 12.34% return vs 11.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VYMI is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.17% for SGOL.
VYMI has the higher dividend yield at 3.39%, compared with 0.00% for SGOL.
VYMI is categorized as Dividend, while SGOL is Gold. VYMI tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index, while SGOL tracks LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and abrdn. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for VYMI and 0.17% for SGOL.
VYMI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 0.89), 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.
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