CSF vs VYM
VictoryShares US Discovery Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, CSF or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y 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 | CSF | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.41% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $26M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.51% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 508 | 613 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1% | 14.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.9% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 10.7 years | $16,889 | $21,253Best |
| Fund Family | Victory Capital Management Inc. | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jul 31, 2014 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 513 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. CSF has data through Apr 23, 2025 and VYM through Sep 18, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 10.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 1, 2014 to Apr 23, 2025 (10.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CSF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 14.3% 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 -35.9% for CSF 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 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CSF charges 0.41% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $41 vs $4 annually, a gap of $37 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CSF currently yields 1.51% against 2.22% for VYM.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CSF 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, CSF or VYM?
CSF has an expense ratio of 0.41% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $37 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, CSF or VYM?
CSF has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 14.3% for VYM. Worst drawdown: CSF -35.9% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both CSF and VYM?
CSF and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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, CSF or VYM?
CSF yields 1.51% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than CSF?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.