CLSM vs VYM
ETC Cabana Target Leading Sector Moderate ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, CLSM or VYM?
Equity-oriented Balanced against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. CLSM led over 1Y, VYM 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 | CLSM | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.82% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $97M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.79% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 5 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +18.16%Best | +14.82% |
| 1Y Return | +24.43%Best | +20.84% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.03% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.19% | +12.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.4%Best | 13.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -27.8% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,700 | $17,845Best |
| Fund Family | The Cabana Group, LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Equity-oriented Balanced | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 12, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 13, 2021 to Sep 4, 2026 (5.1 years).
CLSM 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 5.1 years both funds cover.
CLSM vs VYM Performance
ETC Cabana Target Leading Sector Moderate ETF (CLSM) is an ETF from The Cabana Group, LLC and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CLSM returned +24.43% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, CLSM is up 18.16% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, CLSM compounded at +14.03% per year against +18.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +3.19% and +12.28% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.6% compared with 12.4% for CLSM. 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 -27.8% for CLSM and -15.8% 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 0.57. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CLSM charges 0.82% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $82 vs $4 annually, a gap of $78 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CLSM currently yields 0.79% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 4 holdings in CLSM and 603 in VYM, totalling 99.8% and 99.5% 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 49 days apart, CLSM as of Aug 18, 2026 and VYM 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 4 positions we hold weights for in CLSM and 603 in VYM, against full books of 5 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CLSM 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, CLSM or VYM?
CLSM has an expense ratio of 0.82% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $78 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CLSM or VYM?
Over the past year CLSM returned +24.43% vs +20.84% for VYM, so CLSM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CLSM or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.6% annualized versus 12.4% for CLSM. Worst drawdown: CLSM -27.8% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both CLSM and VYM?
CLSM and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.57, 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, CLSM or VYM?
CLSM yields 0.79% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than CLSM?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. CLSM led over 1Y, VYM 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.