CHY vs VXUS
Calamos Convertible and High Income Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, CHY or VXUS?
Convertibles against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. CHY led over 1Y, VXUS 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 | CHY | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.84% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.5B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.97% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 620 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +18.50%Best | +14.83% |
| 1Y Return | +26.25%Best | +24.27% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.22% | +19.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.00% | +9.07%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.6% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -60.1% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,763 | $15,436Best |
| Fund Family | Calamos Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Convertible | Equity |
| Style | Convertibles | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 28, 2003 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 9, 2026 (15.6 years).
CHY vs VXUS 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
CHY vs VXUS Performance
Calamos Convertible and High Income Fund (CHY) is an ETF from Calamos Investments and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CHY returned +26.25% while VXUS returned +24.27%. Year to date, CHY is up 18.50% versus a gain of 14.83% for VXUS.
Over three years, CHY compounded at +14.22% per year against +19.98% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +5.00% and +9.07% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.85% annualized vs +3.45%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CHY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.6% compared with 15.0% for VXUS. 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 -60.1% for CHY and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CHY charges 1.84% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $184 vs $5 annually, a gap of $179 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CHY currently yields 3.97% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 512 holdings in CHY and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 120.2% and 87.7% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 242 days apart, CHY as of Oct 31, 2025 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 512 positions we hold weights for in CHY and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 620 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CHY and VXUS 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, CHY or VXUS?
CHY has an expense ratio of 1.84% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $179 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CHY or VXUS?
Over the past year CHY returned +26.25% vs +24.27% for VXUS, so CHY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), CHY annualized +3.45% vs +4.85% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CHY or VXUS?
CHY has been the more volatile fund at 19.6% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: CHY -60.1% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both CHY and VXUS?
CHY and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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, CHY or VXUS?
CHY yields 3.97% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so CHY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than CHY?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. CHY led over 1Y, VXUS 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.