CHI vs VYM
Calamos Convertible Opportunities and Income Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, CHI or VYM?
Convertibles 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 | CHI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.83% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.3B | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.69% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 597 | 610 |
| YTD Return | +8.59% | +16.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.81% | +18.40%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.74% | +20.47%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.72% | +11.53%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.0% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -71.5% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,890 | $17,257Best |
| Fund Family | Calamos Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Convertible | Equity |
| Style | Convertibles | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 26, 2002 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Nov 12, 2026 (20 years).
CHI 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 20 years both funds cover.
CHI vs VYM Performance
Calamos Convertible Opportunities and Income Fund (CHI) is an ETF from Calamos Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CHI returned +5.81% while VYM returned +18.40%. Year to date, CHI is up 8.59% versus a gain of 16.08% for VYM.
Over three years, CHI compounded at +12.74% per year against +20.47% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +1.72% and +11.53% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.99% annualized vs -0.25%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CHI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.0% compared with 14.6% 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 -71.5% for CHI 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 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CHI charges 1.83% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $183 vs $4 annually, a gap of $179 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CHI currently yields 2.69% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.1% of VYM's money is in holdings CHI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for CHI, our book for it covers 42.5% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VYM and CHI share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 342 positions we hold weights for in CHI and 602 in VYM, against full books of 597 and 610.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CHI 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, CHI or VYM?
CHI has an expense ratio of 1.83% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $179 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CHI or VYM?
Over the past year CHI returned +5.81% vs +18.40% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), CHI annualized -0.25% vs +6.99% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CHI or VYM?
CHI has been the more volatile fund at 21.0% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: CHI -71.5% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both CHI and VYM?
CHI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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 CHI and VYM?
At least 2.1% of VYM's money is in holdings CHI also owns. Our book for CHI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 342 positions we hold weights for in CHI and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, CHI or VYM?
CHI yields 2.69% while VYM yields 2.23%, so CHI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than CHI?
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.