CSM vs VOO
ProShares Large Cap Core Plus vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, CSM or VOO?
Nearly the same fund. VOO costs less.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. CSM led over 3Y and the full window, VOO over 1Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98.
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 | CSM | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $530M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.04% | 1.08% |
| Holdings | 308 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +11.40% | +13.37%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.24% | +20.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.30%Best | +21.29% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.26% | +12.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -36.1% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,829 | $18,335Best |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 13, 2009 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 4, 2026 (16 years).
CSM vs VOO 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 16 years both funds cover.
CSM vs VOO Performance
ProShares Large Cap Core Plus (CSM) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CSM returned +19.24% while VOO returned +20.08%. Year to date, CSM is up 11.40% versus a gain of 13.37% for VOO.
Over three years, CSM compounded at +21.30% per year against +21.29% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +12.26% and +12.89% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, CSM has the edge at +14.42% annualized vs +13.48%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CSM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 14.1% for VOO. 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 -36.1% for CSM and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CSM charges 0.45% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $3 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CSM currently yields 1.04% against 1.08% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
At least 83.3% of VOO's money is in holdings CSM also owns.
Stated as a floor: for CSM, our book for it covers 89.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of VOO is already inside CSM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
284 positions in common, counted across the 298 positions we hold weights for in CSM and 505 in VOO, against full books of 308 and 509.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in CSM | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 5.00% | 7.51% | 2.51% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 4.23% | 6.59% | 2.36% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 3.39% | 4.30% | 0.91% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.82% | 3.62% | 0.80% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc.Class A | 1.84% | 3.25% | 1.41% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.79% | 2.77% | 0.98% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 1.42% | 2.59% | 1.17% |
| METAMeta Platform Inc | 1.28% | 1.92% | 0.64% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.08% | 2.02% | 0.94% |
| TSLATesla Motors Inc | 0.69% | 1.84% | 1.15% |
83.3% of VOO is already inside CSM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, CSM or VOO?
CSM has an expense ratio of 0.45% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CSM or VOO?
Over the past year CSM returned +19.24% vs +20.08% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), CSM annualized +14.42% vs +13.48% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CSM or VOO?
CSM has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: CSM -36.1% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both CSM and VOO?
CSM and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between CSM and VOO?
At least 83.3% of VOO's money is in holdings CSM also owns. Our book for CSM is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 284 positions in common, counted across the 298 positions we hold weights for in CSM and 505 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, CSM or VOO?
CSM yields 1.04% while VOO yields 1.08%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than CSM?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. CSM led over 3Y and the full window, VOO over 1Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.