CVRD vs VYM
Madison Covered Call ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, CVRD or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | CVRD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.92% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $32M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.65% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 65 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +5.53% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.41% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.86% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.2%Best | 10.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -17.9% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $12,323 | $16,758Best |
| Fund Family | Madison Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 21, 2023 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
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).
CVRD 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.
CVRD vs VYM Performance
Madison Covered Call ETF (CVRD) is an ETF from Madison Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CVRD returned +7.41% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, CVRD is up 5.53% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, CVRD compounded at +6.86% per year against +18.64% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.8% compared with 9.2% for CVRD. 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 -17.9% for CVRD 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CVRD charges 0.92% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $92 vs $4 annually, a gap of $88 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CVRD currently yields 7.65% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 13.6% of VYM's money is in holdings CVRD also owns.
Stated as a floor: for CVRD, our book for it covers 94.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VYM and CVRD share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 55 days apart, CVRD as of Aug 24, 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.
16 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in CVRD and 603 in VYM, against full books of 65 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in CVRD | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.49% | 7.29% | 3.80% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 3.60% | 0.67% | 2.93% |
| BLKBlackrock Funding Inc/De | 3.65% | 0.61% | 3.04% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 3.26% | 0.77% | 2.49% |
| MTDRMatador Resources Co | 3.50% | 0.02% | 3.48% |
| NEMNewmont Corp Common | 3.11% | 0.41% | 2.70% |
| TMUST-Mobile Usa Inc Esrw Usd Npv Ref Sm#585558 | 3.12% | 0.34% | 2.78% |
| LOWLowes Cos., Inc. | 2.93% | 0.51% | 2.42% |
| ACN:IEAccenture PLC Cl A | 3.10% | 0.32% | 2.78% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 2.37% | 0.76% | 1.61% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CVRD 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, CVRD or VYM?
CVRD has an expense ratio of 0.92% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $88 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CVRD or VYM?
Over the past year CVRD returned +7.41% 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, CVRD or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 10.8% annualized versus 9.2% for CVRD. Worst drawdown: CVRD -17.9% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both CVRD and VYM?
CVRD and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, 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 CVRD and VYM?
At least 13.6% of VYM's money is in holdings CVRD also owns. Our book for CVRD is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 16 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in CVRD and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, CVRD or VYM?
CVRD yields 7.65% while VYM yields 2.24%, so CVRD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than CVRD?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.