CEW vs VYM
WisdomTree Emerging Currency Strategy Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, CEW or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 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 | CEW | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $18M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.35% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 32 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +4.35% | +10.96%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.23% | +15.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.73% | +17.78%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.17% | +12.05%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.8%Best | 13.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -27.9%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,266 | $17,663Best |
| Fund Family | WisdomTree Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 6, 2009 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 6, 2009 to Sep 22, 2026 (17.4 years).
CEW 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
CEW vs VYM Performance
WisdomTree Emerging Currency Strategy Fund (CEW) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CEW returned +7.23% while VYM returned +15.42%. Year to date, CEW is up 4.35% versus a gain of 10.96% for VYM.
Over three years, CEW compounded at +7.73% per year against +17.78% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +4.17% and +12.05% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.62% annualized vs +1.31%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.2% compared with 7.8% for CEW. 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 -27.9% for CEW 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 0.58. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CEW charges 0.55% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $4 annually, a gap of $51 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CEW currently yields 2.35% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in CEW and 557 in VYM, totalling 2.3% and 99.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in CEW and 557 in VYM, against full books of 32 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CEW 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, CEW or VYM?
CEW has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $51 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CEW or VYM?
Over the past year CEW returned +7.23% vs +15.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), CEW annualized +1.31% vs +10.62% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CEW or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.2% annualized versus 7.8% for CEW. Worst drawdown: CEW -27.9% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both CEW and VYM?
CEW and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.58, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, CEW or VYM?
CEW yields 2.35% while VYM yields 2.22%, so CEW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than CEW?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.