CZA vs VYM
Invesco Zacks Mid-Cap ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, CZA or VYM?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. CZA led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. CZA is less concentrated, with 19.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | CZA | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.69% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $180M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.38% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 103 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +8.36% | +11.47%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.54% | +15.94%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.01% | +18.03%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.29% | +12.35%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.2%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,217 | $17,901Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 19.7%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 2, 2007 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 3, 2007 to Sep 21, 2026 (19.5 years).
CZA 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 19.5 years both funds cover.
CZA vs VYM Performance
Invesco Zacks Mid-Cap ETF (CZA) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CZA returned +12.54% while VYM returned +15.94%. Year to date, CZA is up 8.36% versus a gain of 11.47% for VYM.
Over three years, CZA compounded at +13.01% per year against +18.03% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +7.29% and +12.35% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, CZA has the edge at +9.42% annualized vs +6.80%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CZA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 14.7% 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 -53.2% for CZA 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CZA charges 0.69% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $69 vs $4 annually, a gap of $65 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CZA currently yields 1.38% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
43.9% of CZA's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 3.5% of VYM's money is in holdings CZA also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
41 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in CZA and 557 in VYM, against full books of 103 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 488 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for CZA (93.6% of the fund), and 51 for CZA that do not appear in VYM (44.6%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in CZA | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BDXBecton Dickinson And Co. | 2.45% | 0.19% | 2.26% |
| PRUPrudential Financial Inc | 2.04% | 0.17% | 1.87% |
| AIGAmerican International Gr | 1.99% | 0.17% | 1.82% |
| SYYSysco Corp | 1.87% | 0.17% | 1.70% |
| HIGHartford Financial Services Group Inc. | 1.84% | 0.16% | 1.68% |
| PEGPublic Svc Ent Group | 1.75% | 0.16% | 1.59% |
| BAPCredicorp Ltd - Common | 1.73% | 0.11% | 1.62% |
| NTRSNorthern Trust Corp. | 1.67% | 0.14% | 1.53% |
| ZTSZoetis Inc, Class A | 1.63% | 0.13% | 1.50% |
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 1.58% | 0.14% | 1.44% |
43.9% of CZA is already inside VYM.
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, CZA or VYM?
CZA has an expense ratio of 0.69% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $65 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CZA or VYM?
Over the past year CZA returned +12.54% vs +15.94% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), CZA annualized +9.42% vs +6.80% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CZA or VYM?
CZA has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 14.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: CZA -53.2% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both CZA and VYM?
CZA and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 CZA and VYM?
43.9% of CZA's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 3.5% of VYM's is in holdings CZA also owns. They hold 41 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in CZA and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, CZA or VYM?
CZA yields 1.38% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than CZA?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. CZA led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. CZA is less concentrated, with 19.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.