CSMD vs VYM
Congress SMid Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, CSMD or VYM?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.4%.
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 | CSMD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.68% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $477M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 48 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +6.56% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.48% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.06% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.4% | 10.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -22.5% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $13,636 | $16,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.4% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Congress Asset Management Company | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 22, 2023 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 22, 2023 to Sep 4, 2026 (3 years).
CSMD 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 3 years both funds cover.
CSMD vs VYM Performance
Congress SMid Growth ETF (CSMD) is an ETF from Congress Asset Management Company and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CSMD returned +4.48% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, CSMD is up 6.56% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, CSMD compounded at +10.06% per year against +18.64% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CSMD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.4% compared with 10.8% 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 -22.5% for CSMD and -14.5% 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CSMD charges 0.68% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $68 vs $4 annually, a gap of $64 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CSMD currently yields 0.00% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
6.9% of CSMD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.2% of VYM's money is in holdings CSMD also owns.
CSMD and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 52 days apart, CSMD as of Aug 21, 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.
4 positions in common, counted across the 47 positions we hold weights for in CSMD and 603 in VYM, against full books of 48 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 566 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for CSMD (97.2% of the fund), and 41 for CSMD that do not appear in VYM (87.5%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CSMD 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, CSMD or VYM?
CSMD has an expense ratio of 0.68% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $64 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CSMD or VYM?
Over the past year CSMD returned +4.48% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CSMD or VYM?
CSMD has been the more volatile fund at 18.4% annualized versus 10.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: CSMD -22.5% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both CSMD and VYM?
CSMD and VYM 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.
What is the holdings overlap between CSMD and VYM?
6.9% of CSMD's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.2% of VYM's is in holdings CSMD also owns. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 47 positions we hold weights for in CSMD and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, CSMD or VYM?
CSMD yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.24%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than CSMD?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.