CSQ vs VYM
Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, CSQ or VYM?
Equity-oriented Balanced against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. CSQ led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 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 | CSQ | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.03% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $5.2B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.35% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 816 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +12.71%Best | +11.35% |
| 1Y Return | +14.98% | +15.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.28%Best | +17.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.94% | +12.30%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.3% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -72.8% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,805 | $17,861Best |
| Fund Family | Calamos Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Equity-oriented Balanced | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 26, 2004 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 18, 2026 (19.8 years).
CSQ 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
CSQ vs VYM Performance
Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund (CSQ) is an ETF from Calamos Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CSQ returned +14.98% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, CSQ is up 12.71% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, CSQ compounded at +20.28% per year against +17.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +10.94% and +12.30% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.82% annualized vs +3.86%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CSQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.3% compared with 14.6% 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 -72.8% for CSQ and -58.8% 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CSQ charges 2.03% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $203 vs $4 annually, a gap of $199 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CSQ currently yields 2.35% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 55.2% of VYM's money is in holdings CSQ also owns.
Stated as a floor: for CSQ, our book for it covers 93.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 181 days apart, CSQ as of Jan 31, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
107 positions in common, counted across the 452 positions we hold weights for in CSQ and 557 in VYM, against full books of 816 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in CSQ | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.12% | 7.35% | 5.23% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.24% | 3.82% | 2.58% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 1.08% | 2.63% | 1.55% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.05% | 2.51% | 1.46% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.70% | 1.80% | 1.10% |
| BACBank Of America Corp. | 0.79% | 1.66% | 0.87% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.41% | 1.86% | 1.45% |
| GSGoldman Sachs Group Inc/The | 0.84% | 1.13% | 0.29% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.53% | 1.38% | 0.85% |
| WFCWells Fargo & Co. | 0.79% | 1.07% | 0.28% |
55.2% of VYM is already inside CSQ.
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, CSQ or VYM?
CSQ has an expense ratio of 2.03% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $199 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CSQ or VYM?
Over the past year CSQ returned +14.98% vs +15.34% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), CSQ annualized +3.86% vs +6.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CSQ or VYM?
CSQ has been the more volatile fund at 21.3% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: CSQ -72.8% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both CSQ and VYM?
CSQ and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 CSQ and VYM?
At least 55.2% of VYM's money is in holdings CSQ also owns. Our book for CSQ is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 107 positions in common, counted across the 452 positions we hold weights for in CSQ and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, CSQ or VYM?
CSQ yields 2.35% while VYM yields 2.22%, so CSQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than CSQ?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. CSQ led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.