CGW vs VYM
Invesco S&P Global Water Index ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, CGW or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. CGW led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.6%.
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 | CGW | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.58% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.0B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.54% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 85 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -1.12% | +10.23%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.15% | +14.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.44% | +17.50%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.80% | +11.60%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.2% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -57.2%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,481 | $17,311Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 55.6% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 14, 2007 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 14, 2007 to Sep 23, 2026 (19.4 years).
CGW 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 19.4 years both funds cover.
CGW vs VYM Performance
Invesco S&P Global Water Index ETF (CGW) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CGW returned +0.15% while VYM returned +14.28%. Year to date, CGW is down 1.12% versus a gain of 10.23% for VYM.
Over three years, CGW compounded at +11.44% per year against +17.50% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +2.80% and +11.60% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, CGW has the edge at +6.96% annualized vs +6.53%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CGW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.2% 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 -57.2% for CGW and -58.8% 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
CGW charges 0.58% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $58 vs $4 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CGW currently yields 1.54% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
20.2% of CGW's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.2% of VYM's money is in holdings CGW also owns.
CGW and VYM share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 65 positions we hold weights for in CGW and 557 in VYM, against full books of 85 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 524 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for CGW (96.8% of the fund), and 23 for CGW that do not appear in VYM (38.3%).
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.
20.2% of CGW 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, CGW or VYM?
CGW has an expense ratio of 0.58% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CGW or VYM?
Over the past year CGW returned +0.15% vs +14.28% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), CGW annualized +6.96% vs +6.53% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CGW or VYM?
CGW has been the more volatile fund at 17.2% annualized versus 14.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: CGW -57.2% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both CGW and VYM?
CGW 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 CGW and VYM?
20.2% of CGW's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.2% of VYM's is in holdings CGW also owns. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 65 positions we hold weights for in CGW and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, CGW or VYM?
CGW yields 1.54% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than CGW?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. CGW led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.