CBLS vs VYM
Clough Hedged Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, CBLS or VYM?
All 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 29.0%.
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 | CBLS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.89% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $56M | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.81% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 79 | 608 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.2% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -32.8% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.2 years | $13,962 | $16,977Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 29.0% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Changebridge Capital | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 13, 2020 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 634 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. CBLS has data through Jan 17, 2025 and VYM through Oct 13, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 13, 2020 to Jan 17, 2025 (4.2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CBLS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.2% compared with 14.5% 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 -32.8% for CBLS and -15.8% 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 0.50. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CBLS charges 1.89% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $189 vs $4 annually, a gap of $185 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CBLS currently yields 0.81% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
22.8% of CBLS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 8.0% of VYM's money is in holdings CBLS also owns.
CBLS and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, CBLS as of Sep 18, 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.
22 positions in common, counted across the 78 positions we hold weights for in CBLS and 557 in VYM, against full books of 79 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 507 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for CBLS (89.1% of the fund), and 26 for CBLS that do not appear in VYM (64.4%).
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 CBLS | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNHUnitedhealth Group Incorporated | 2.48% | 1.52% | 0.96% |
| BKRBaker Hughes Co | 2.89% | 0.24% | 2.65% |
| APAAPA Corp. | 3.01% | 0.05% | 2.96% |
| DVNDevon Energy Corporation | 2.81% | 0.21% | 2.60% |
| DELLDell Technologies Inc | 2.45% | 0.50% | 1.95% |
| SCCOSouthern Copper Corp | 2.65% | 0.07% | 2.58% |
| SSNCSs&C Technologies Holdings Inc. | 2.37% | 0.06% | 2.31% |
| SCIService Corp International | 2.18% | 0.05% | 2.13% |
| CCLCarnival Corporation Common Stock | 1.99% | 0.14% | 1.85% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | -0.98% | 1.86% | 2.84% |
22.8% of CBLS 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, CBLS or VYM?
CBLS has an expense ratio of 1.89% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $185 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, CBLS or VYM?
CBLS has been the more volatile fund at 17.2% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: CBLS -32.8% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both CBLS and VYM?
CBLS and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.50, 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 CBLS and VYM?
22.8% of CBLS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 8.0% of VYM's is in holdings CBLS also owns. They hold 22 positions in common, counted across the 78 positions we hold weights for in CBLS and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, CBLS or VYM?
CBLS yields 0.81% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than CBLS?
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 29.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.