CALF vs VYM
Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, CALF or VYM?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. CALF led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. CALF is less concentrated, with 20.1% 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 | CALF | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $4.0B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.12% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 200 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +28.28%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +31.63%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.70% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.34% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.3% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -47.6% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,250 | $17,845Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 20.1%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 16, 2017 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 19, 2017 to Sep 4, 2026 (9.2 years).
CALF 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 9.2 years both funds cover.
CALF vs VYM Performance
Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF (CALF) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CALF returned +31.63% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, CALF is up 28.28% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, CALF compounded at +11.70% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +7.34% and +12.28% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, CALF has the edge at +10.83% annualized vs +10.03%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CALF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.3% compared with 14.7% 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 -47.6% for CALF and -35.7% 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CALF 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, CALF currently yields 1.12% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
33.6% of CALF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.2% of VYM's money is in holdings CALF also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
44 positions in common, counted across the 199 positions we hold weights for in CALF and 603 in VYM, against full books of 200 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 528 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for CALF (96.2% of the fund), and 152 for CALF that do not appear in VYM (64.4%).
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 CALF | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| OMCOmnicom Group Inc. | 1.94% | 0.09% | 1.85% |
| EXEExpand Energy Corp | 1.91% | 0.09% | 1.82% |
| EQTEQT Corp. | 1.85% | 0.13% | 1.72% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 1.69% | 0.06% | 1.63% |
| BBYBest Buy Co. Inc. | 1.65% | 0.06% | 1.59% |
| CFCf Industries Holdings Inc. | 1.63% | 0.07% | 1.56% |
| DINOHollyfrontier | 1.62% | 0.04% | 1.58% |
| APAApa Corp | 1.34% | 0.05% | 1.29% |
| TAPMolson Coors Beverage Company | 1.11% | 0.02% | 1.09% |
| ADTADT INC | 1.04% | 0.02% | 1.02% |
33.6% of CALF is already inside VYM.
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 VYM?
CALF 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, CALF or VYM?
Over the past year CALF returned +31.63% vs +20.84% for VYM, so CALF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), CALF annualized +10.83% vs +10.03% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CALF or VYM?
CALF has been the more volatile fund at 23.3% annualized versus 14.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: CALF -47.6% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both CALF and VYM?
CALF and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 VYM?
33.6% of CALF's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 1.2% of VYM's is in holdings CALF also owns. They hold 44 positions in common, counted across the 199 positions we hold weights for in CALF and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, CALF or VYM?
CALF yields 1.12% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than CALF?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. CALF led over 1Y and the full window, VYM over 3Y and 5Y. CALF is less concentrated, with 20.1% 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.