GAM vs VTI: Correlation
Measured on weekly returns over the past three years, General American Investors, Inc. (GAM) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) carry a correlation of 0.87, a very strong link.
Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology
How correlated are GAM and VTI?
Over the past 3 years, GAM and VTI moved with a correlation of 0.87, which is very strong, meaning they move nearly in lockstep. The relationship has been stable: the 1-year correlation (0.80) sits close to the 3-year figure. Over 5 years the correlation is 0.92, and the annualized covariance of weekly returns is 173.1 %².
By 3-year correlation, VTI places #6 of the 14 assets tracked against GAM. Over the last 12 months GAM came out ahead by 5.4 percentage points (+26.1% against +20.7%).
How is this computed?
Pearson correlation on weekly returns: ρ(A,B) = cov(rA, rB) / (σA · σB), over windows of 52, 156 and 260 weeks. Covariance is annualized (×52) and expressed in %². Full definitions on the methodology page.
GAM vs VTI: side by side
| GAM (General American Investors, Inc.) | VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +26.1% | +20.7% |
| 5-year return | +118.0% | +74.8% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 13.6% | 14.6% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.81 | 1.01 |
| Max drawdown (3Y) | -14.9% | -19.3% |
| Market cap | $1.6B | – |
| P/E (trailing) | 4.2 | – |
| Dividend yield | 9.47% | 1.06% |
| Expense ratio | – | 0.03% |
| Assets under management | – | $2,290.0B |
| Sector / category | US Listed | ETF · US Large Cap |
VTI, Vanguard's Large Blend fund, carries $2,290.0B under management, 3140 holdings, a 0.03% expense ratio, a 1.06% trailing dividend yield.
Year-by-year returns
| Year | GAM | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -14.8% | -19.5% |
| 2023 | +26.8% | +26.0% |
| 2024 | +29.5% | +23.8% |
| 2025 | +28.6% | +17.1% |
| 2026 | +15.1% | +14.2% |
Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.
Are GAM and VTI good diversifiers for each other?
Not really. At 0.87, the two trade almost as one position, and owning both buys little extra protection.
FAQ
What is the correlation between GAM and VTI?
As of 2026-08-27, the correlation of weekly returns between GAM and VTI is 0.87 over 3 years, 0.80 over 1 year and 0.92 over 5 years.
Is VTI a good diversifier for GAM?
Not really. At 0.87, the two trade almost as one position, and owning both buys little extra protection.
What does a correlation of 0.87 mean?
A reading of 0.87 sits on a scale from −1 (opposite moves) through 0 (unrelated) to +1 (identical moves). Correlation captures direction, not magnitude or performance.
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Related comparisons
Hubs: GAM correlations · VTI correlations
