Is comparing is a gerund??

[gmatrant]

1. Many investors base their choice between bonds and stocks on comparing bond yields to the dividends available on common stocks.
(A) between bonds and stocks on comparing bond yields to
(B) among bonds and stocks on comparisons of bond yields to
(C) between bonds and stocks on comparisons of bond yields with
(D) among bonds and stocks on comparing bond yields and
(E) between bonds and stocks on comparing bond yields with

OA is C. But in choice A, what part of speech is the word comparing performing.
I read in a post that 'comparing' is a gerund? Can someone please explain how it performs the role of noun here.

Thanks

[frank1]

Ok here is how would come to C
2 things so among out...B D
left A B E
compare with is for disimilar things
so 2 dissimilar things are being discussed here
so E and C left
....while reading sentence..
....base their choice....on comparisions
sound right than
...base their choice ...on comparing...
so
C wins
...make their chice ...by comparing would have made sense..

sorry but your OG question still remains unanswered..
just my thought how i would have answered it

[reply2spg]

Notes, which I have, say that 'Compare with is used to describe the differences between like things and compare to is used to describe the similarities between unlike things' could you please explain?

Ok here is how would come to C
2 things so among out...B D
left A B E
compare with is for disimilar things
so 2 dissimilar things are being discussed here
so E and C left
....while reading sentence..
....base their choice....on comparisions
sound right than
...base their choice ...on comparing...
so
C wins
...make their chice ...by comparing would have made sense..

sorry but your OG question still remains unanswered..
just my thought how i would have answered it