VAMO vs VYM
Cambria Value and Momentum Hedged Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, VAMO or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VAMO is less concentrated, with 13.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.8%.
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 | VAMO | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $86M | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.68% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 206 | 608 |
| YTD Return | +3.07% | +11.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.56% | +15.96%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.96% | +18.60%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.43% | +11.51%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.0%Best | 14.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -41.8% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,988 | $17,241Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 13.1%Best | 25.8% |
| Fund Family | Cambria Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 8, 2015 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2015 to Oct 14, 2026 (11.1 years).
VAMO 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 11.1 years both funds cover.
VAMO vs VYM Performance
Cambria Value and Momentum Hedged Equity ETF (VAMO) is an ETF from Cambria Investment Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VAMO returned +5.56% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, VAMO is up 3.07% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Over three years, VAMO compounded at +11.96% per year against +18.60% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +8.43% and +11.51% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +10.33% annualized vs +4.22%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.0% compared with 13.0% for VAMO. 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 -41.8% for VAMO and -35.7% 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 0.59. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VAMO charges 0.65% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $4 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VAMO currently yields 0.68% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
41.4% of VAMO's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.4% of VYM's money is in holdings VAMO also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
45 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in VAMO and 602 in VYM, against full books of 206 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 528 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for VAMO (92.5% of the fund), and 57 for VAMO that do not appear in VYM (54.0%).
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 VAMO | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCitigroup Inc. | 0.91% | 0.90% | 0.01% |
| COFCapital One Financial Corp. | 0.93% | 0.54% | 0.39% |
| NEMNewmont Corp Common | 0.89% | 0.54% | 0.35% |
| MPCMarathon Petroleum Corp | 0.99% | 0.44% | 0.55% |
| VLOValero Energy | 0.97% | 0.43% | 0.54% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 0.94% | 0.40% | 0.54% |
| CAHCardinal Health Inc. | 0.92% | 0.22% | 0.70% |
| DVNDevon Energy Corp. | 0.92% | 0.22% | 0.70% |
| HIGHartford Financial Services Group Inc. | 0.93% | 0.15% | 0.78% |
| SYFSynchrony Financial | 0.94% | 0.10% | 0.84% |
41.4% of VAMO 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, VAMO or VYM?
VAMO has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VAMO or VYM?
Over the past year VAMO returned +5.56% vs +15.96% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), VAMO annualized +4.22% vs +10.33% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VAMO or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 14.0% annualized versus 13.0% for VAMO. Worst drawdown: VAMO -41.8% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both VAMO and VYM?
VAMO and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.59, 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 VAMO and VYM?
41.4% of VAMO's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 5.4% of VYM's is in holdings VAMO also owns. They hold 45 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in VAMO and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, VAMO or VYM?
VAMO yields 0.68% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than VAMO?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VAMO is less concentrated, with 13.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.