CZAR vs VYM
Themes Natural Monopoly ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, CZAR or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.4%.
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 | CZAR | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.42% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 218 | 613 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.6%Best | 10.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.4%Best | -14.5% |
| $10,000 over 2.6 years | $13,383 | $15,922Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.4% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Themes ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 13, 2023 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 52 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. CZAR has data through Jul 28, 2026 and VYM through Sep 18, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 13, 2023 to Jul 28, 2026 (2.6 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.4% compared with 9.6% for CZAR. 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 -13.4% for CZAR 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CZAR charges 0.35% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $4 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CZAR currently yields 1.42% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
19.8% of CZAR's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 11.4% of VYM's money is in holdings CZAR also owns.
CZAR and VYM share little of their money.
17 positions in common, counted across the 94 positions we hold weights for in CZAR and 557 in VYM, against full books of 218 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 511 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for CZAR (85.7% of the fund), and 31 for CZAR that do not appear in VYM (43.7%).
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 CZAR | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 4.65% | 1.86% | 2.79% |
| BLKBlackrock Funding Inc/De | 3.61% | 0.68% | 2.93% |
| CMECme Group, Cl A | 3.79% | 0.39% | 3.40% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.54% | 2.51% | 0.97% |
| KOCoca Cola Co. | 0.77% | 1.38% | 0.61% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 0.80% | 0.77% | 0.03% |
| XYLXylem,Inc. | 1.25% | 0.11% | 1.14% |
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.28% | 0.90% | 0.62% |
| VZVerizon Communic | 0.27% | 0.80% | 0.53% |
| TBBAt&t Inc | 0.27% | 0.64% | 0.37% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CZAR 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, CZAR or VYM?
CZAR has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, CZAR or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 10.4% annualized versus 9.6% for CZAR. Worst drawdown: CZAR -13.4% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both CZAR and VYM?
CZAR and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 CZAR and VYM?
19.8% of CZAR's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 11.4% of VYM's is in holdings CZAR also owns. They hold 17 positions in common, counted across the 94 positions we hold weights for in CZAR and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, CZAR or VYM?
CZAR yields 1.42% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than CZAR?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.