CPZ vs VYM
Calamos Long/Short Equity & Dynamic Income Trust vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, CPZ or VYM?
Long-Short Strategy 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 | CPZ | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.85% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $421M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.00% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 693 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -4.89% | +14.33%Best |
| 1Y Return | -12.50% | +20.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.24% | +18.43%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.88% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.7% | 15.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -52.2% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,976 | $17,750Best |
| Fund Family | Calamos Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Long-Short Strategy | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 29, 2019 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 26, 2019 to Sep 8, 2026 (6.8 years).
CPZ 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 6.8 years both funds cover.
CPZ vs VYM Performance
Calamos Long/Short Equity & Dynamic Income Trust (CPZ) is an ETF from Calamos Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CPZ returned -12.50% while VYM returned +20.01%. Year to date, CPZ is down 4.89% versus a gain of 14.33% for VYM.
Over three years, CPZ compounded at +6.24% per year against +18.43% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +1.88% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +11.48% annualized vs +2.40%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CPZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.7% compared with 15.5% 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 -52.2% for CPZ 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CPZ charges 1.85% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $185 vs $4 annually, a gap of $181 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CPZ currently yields 11.00% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 31.8% of VYM's money is in holdings CPZ also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for CPZ, our book for it lists positions totalling 161.2% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 150 days apart, CPZ as of Jan 31, 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.
90 positions in common, counted across the 396 positions we hold weights for in CPZ and 602 in VYM, against full books of 693 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in CPZ | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.80% | 7.29% | 2.49% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co | 5.74% | 1.05% | 4.69% |
| LHXL3Harris Technologies Inc. | 6.14% | 0.22% | 5.92% |
| MMM3m Co. | 5.30% | 0.35% | 4.95% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 4.97% | 0.67% | 4.30% |
| BAHBooz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp C | 5.00% | 0.03% | 4.97% |
| JCIJohnson Controls International Plc | 4.41% | 0.37% | 4.04% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 3.25% | 1.46% | 1.79% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 0.69% | 3.38% | 2.69% |
| EMREmerson Electric Co. | 2.83% | 0.33% | 2.50% |
31.8% of VYM is already inside CPZ.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, CPZ or VYM?
CPZ has an expense ratio of 1.85% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $181 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CPZ or VYM?
Over the past year CPZ returned -12.50% vs +20.01% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), CPZ annualized +2.40% vs +11.48% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CPZ or VYM?
CPZ has been the more volatile fund at 18.7% annualized versus 15.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: CPZ -52.2% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both CPZ and VYM?
CPZ and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 CPZ and VYM?
At least 31.8% of VYM's money is in holdings CPZ also owns. Our book for CPZ is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 90 positions in common, counted across the 396 positions we hold weights for in CPZ and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, CPZ or VYM?
CPZ yields 11.00% while VYM yields 2.24%, so CPZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than CPZ?
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.