CALF vs VTI
Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, CALF or VTI?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. CALF led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. CALF is less concentrated, with 19.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.5%.
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 | CALF | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3.6B | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.20% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 399 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +23.12%Best | +13.02% |
| 1Y Return | +28.72%Best | +16.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.24% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.17% | +11.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.4% | 16.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -47.6% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,490 | $17,616Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 19.9%Best | 33.5% |
| Fund Family | Pacer ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 16, 2017 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 19, 2017 to Oct 14, 2026 (9.3 years).
CALF vs VTI 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 9.3 years both funds cover.
CALF vs VTI Performance
Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows ETF (CALF) is an ETF from Pacer ETFs and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CALF returned +28.72% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, CALF is up 23.12% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, CALF compounded at +11.24% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +6.17% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.41% annualized vs +10.21%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CALF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.4% compared with 16.3% for VTI. 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 -47.6% for CALF and -35.0% for VTI. 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
CALF charges 0.59% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $3 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CALF currently yields 1.20% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
95.0% of CALF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.2% of VTI's money is in holdings CALF also owns.
Most of CALF is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
187 positions in common, counted across the 199 positions we hold weights for in CALF and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 399 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,081 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for CALF (96.4% of the fund), and 6 for CALF that do not appear in VTI (2.5%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in CALF | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUNBSunbelt Rentals | 2.23% | 0.04% | 2.19% |
| DINOHollyfrontier | 2.12% | 0.02% | 2.10% |
| THCTenet Healthcare Corp Common Stock Usd 0.05 | 2.03% | 0.03% | 2.00% |
| APTVAptiv Plc Ordinary Shares | 2.03% | 0.01% | 2.02% |
| CTSHCognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A | 1.97% | 0.04% | 1.93% |
| OMCOmnicom Group Inc. | 1.96% | 0.03% | 1.93% |
| EXPEExpedia Inc | 1.91% | 0.05% | 1.86% |
| EXEExpand Energy Corp | 1.92% | 0.03% | 1.89% |
| OVVOvintiv Inc. | 1.88% | 0.02% | 1.86% |
| HPQHP Inc | 1.85% | 0.04% | 1.81% |
95.0% of CALF is already inside VTI.
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, CALF or VTI?
CALF has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CALF or VTI?
Over the past year CALF returned +28.72% vs +16.63% for VTI, so CALF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), CALF annualized +10.21% vs +13.41% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CALF or VTI?
CALF has been the more volatile fund at 23.4% annualized versus 16.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: CALF -47.6% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both CALF and VTI?
CALF and VTI 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 CALF and VTI?
95.0% of CALF's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.2% of VTI's is in holdings CALF also owns. They hold 187 positions in common, counted across the 199 positions we hold weights for in CALF and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, CALF or VTI?
CALF yields 1.20% while VTI yields 1.06%, so CALF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than CALF?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. CALF led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. CALF is less concentrated, with 19.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.