CAFG vs VYM
Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, CAFG or VYM?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. CAFG led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. CAFG is less concentrated, with 25.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | CAFG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $45M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.31% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 102 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +27.19%Best | +13.75% |
| 1Y Return | +26.19%Best | +19.42% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.32% | +18.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.17% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.9% | 11.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.7% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.4 years | $16,680 | $17,109Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.2%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 1, 2023 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 2, 2023 to Sep 9, 2026 (3.4 years).
CAFG vs VYM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 3.4 years both funds cover.
CAFG vs VYM Performance
Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (CAFG) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CAFG returned +26.19% while VYM returned +19.42%. Year to date, CAFG is up 27.19% versus a gain of 13.75% for VYM.
Over three years, CAFG compounded at +15.32% per year against +18.22% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CAFG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.9% compared with 11.0% for VYM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -23.7% for CAFG and -14.5% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CAFG charges 0.59% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $4 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CAFG currently yields 0.31% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
16.7% of CAFG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.2% of VYM's money is in holdings CAFG also owns.
CAFG and VYM share little of their money.
12 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in CAFG and 603 in VYM, against full books of 102 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 554 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for CAFG (97.0% of the fund), and 87 for CAFG that do not appear in VYM (81.8%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in CAFG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRDMIridium Communications Inc | 4.45% | 0.02% | 4.43% |
| POWIPower Integration Inc. | 2.75% | 0.02% | 2.73% |
| YOUClear Secure Inc -Class A | 1.77% | 0.02% | 1.75% |
| SMSm Energy Co | 1.69% | 0.03% | 1.66% |
| AROCArchrock, Inc. | 1.20% | 0.03% | 1.17% |
| WSCWillscot Corp. | 1.06% | 0.02% | 1.04% |
| MGYMagnolia Oil & Gas Corp, Class A | 0.80% | 0.02% | 0.78% |
| WDFCWd-40 Co. | 0.69% | 0.01% | 0.68% |
| STRAStrategic Education Inc | 0.67% | 0.01% | 0.66% |
| CALMCal-maine Foods Inc | 0.59% | 0.01% | 0.58% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CAFG and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, CAFG or VYM?
CAFG has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CAFG or VYM?
Over the past year CAFG returned +26.19% vs +19.42% for VYM, so CAFG leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CAFG or VYM?
CAFG has been the more volatile fund at 17.9% annualized versus 11.0% for VYM. Worst drawdown: CAFG -23.7% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both CAFG and VYM?
CAFG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between CAFG and VYM?
16.7% of CAFG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.2% of VYM's is in holdings CAFG also owns. They hold 12 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in CAFG and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, CAFG or VYM?
CAFG yields 0.31% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than CAFG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. CAFG led over 1Y, VYM over 3Y and the full window. CAFG is less concentrated, with 25.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.