CALF vs VTI
Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, CALF or VTI?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. CALF led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | CALF | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3.9B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.12% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 200 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +24.95%Best | +12.57% |
| 1Y Return | +26.82%Best | +17.22% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.00% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.08% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.4% | 16.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -47.6% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,078 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 16, 2017 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 19, 2017 to Sep 11, 2026 (9.2 years).
CALF vs VTI 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 9.2 years both funds cover.
CALF vs VTI Performance
Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF (CALF) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CALF returned +26.82% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, CALF is up 24.95% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, CALF compounded at +11.00% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +7.08% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.50% annualized vs +10.49%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CALF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.4% compared with 16.4% for VTI. 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 -47.6% for CALF and -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CALF charges 0.59% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $3 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CALF currently yields 1.12% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 73.8% of CALF's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of CALF is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
143 positions in common, counted across the 199 positions we hold weights for in CALF and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 200 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in CALF | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| THCTenet Healthcare Corp. | 2.64% | 0.02% | 2.62% |
| EXPEExpedia Group Inc. | 2.53% | 0.04% | 2.49% |
| ZMZoom Video Communications Inc. Class A | 1.99% | 0.03% | 1.96% |
| OMCOmnicom Group Inc. | 1.94% | 0.03% | 1.91% |
| CHKChesapeake Energy Corp | 1.91% | 0.03% | 1.88% |
| BIIBBiogen Inc. | 1.90% | 0.04% | 1.86% |
| EQTEqt Corp | 1.85% | 0.05% | 1.80% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 1.69% | 0.02% | 1.67% |
| BBYBest Buy Co. Inc. | 1.65% | 0.02% | 1.63% |
| CFCf Industries Holdings Inc. | 1.63% | 0.02% | 1.61% |
73.8% of CALF is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, CALF or VTI?
CALF has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CALF or VTI?
Over the past year CALF returned +26.82% vs +17.22% for VTI, so CALF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), CALF annualized +10.49% vs +13.50% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CALF or VTI?
CALF has been the more volatile fund at 23.4% annualized versus 16.4% for VTI. Worst drawdown: CALF -47.6% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both CALF and VTI?
CALF and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 CALF and VTI?
At least 73.8% of CALF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 143 positions in common, counted across the 199 positions we hold weights for in CALF and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, CALF or VTI?
CALF yields 1.12% while VTI yields 1.03%, so CALF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than CALF?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. CALF led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.