CEFA vs. VOO

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

CEFA (Global X S&P Catholic Values Developed ex-U.S. ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CEFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the S&P Developed ex-U.S. Catholic Values Index, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, CEFA returned 7.72%/yr vs 12.83%/yr for VOO. Their 0.64 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. CEFA charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

CEFA vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X S&P Catholic Values Developed ex-U.S. ETF (CEFA) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with CEFA having a 10.56% return and VOO slightly lower at 10.16%.

CEFA

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 1.53%
• 6M: 5.32%
• YTD: 10.56%
• 1Y: 22.90%
• 3Y*: 15.02%
• 5Y*: 7.72%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.97%

VOO

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 0.26%
• 6M: 8.58%
• YTD: 10.16%
• 1Y: 21.58%
• 3Y*: 19.42%
• 5Y*: 12.83%
• 10Y*: 15.14%
• ALL TIME*: 14.78%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
CEFA Global X S&P Catholic Values Developed ex-U.S. ETF	$214.17K	$182.86K	$268.34K
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	$3.82B	$3.78B	$5.44B

CEFA vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
CEFA Global X S&P Catholic Values Developed ex-U.S. ETF	10.56%	26.46%	5.03%	17.40%	-16.66%	7.97%	21.61%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	10.16%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	20.89%

Correlation

The correlation between CEFA and VOO is 0.77, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 24, 2020	0.64

The correlation between CEFA and VOO shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (all time) to 0.77 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

CEFA vs. VOO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CEFA	VOO
Financial Services	26.4%	11.4%
Industrials	18.1%	8.5%
Technology	13.0%	38.6%
Healthcare	10.3%	8.9%
Consumer Cyclical	8.6%	9.5%
Consumer Defensive	6.8%	4.5%
Basic Materials	5.4%	1.7%
Communication Services	3.6%	9.9%
Energy	3.6%	3.0%
Utilities	3.0%	2.2%
Real Estate	1.1%	1.8%

Return for Risk

CEFA vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

CEFA

CEFA Risk / Return Rank: 58
CEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
CEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
CEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 58
CEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
CEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 60

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 68
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 76

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

CEFA vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X S&P Catholic Values Developed ex-U.S. ETF (CEFA) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	CEFA	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	1.53	-0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.03	2.13	-0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.28	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.97	2.21	-0.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.23	9.44	-2.20

CEFA vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CEFA Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is comparable to the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CEFA and VOO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

CEFA vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CEFA drawdown since its inception was -31.97%, smaller than the maximum VOO drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CEFA and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	CEFA	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.97%	-33.99%	+2.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.54%	-8.90%	-2.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.45%	-18.69%	+3.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.97%	-24.52%	-7.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.99%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.72%	-1.38%	+0.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.90%	-3.67%	-3.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.13%	2.08%	+1.05%

Volatility

CEFA vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

Global X S&P Catholic Values Developed ex-U.S. ETF (CEFA) has a higher volatility of 4.70% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) at 3.54%. This indicates that CEFA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CEFA	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.70%	3.54%	+1.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.09%	10.10%	+3.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.20%	12.82%	+3.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.70%	16.93%	+0.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.23%	18.01%	-0.78%

CEFA vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

CEFA has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

CEFA vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

CEFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.68%, more than VOO's 1.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CEFA Global X S&P Catholic Values Developed ex-U.S. ETF	2.68%	2.86%	3.26%	2.35%	2.35%	3.49%	0.84%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.07%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CEFA and VOO in my portfolio?

CEFA and VOO have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CEFA or VOO?

CEFA has higher volatility (4.70%) compared to VOO (3.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CEFA dropped -31.97% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which ETF is better, CEFA or VOO?

On 5-year performance, VOO leads with 12.83% vs 7.72% for CEFA. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VOO has been the lower-risk option at 3.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CEFA or VOO?

Over the 5-year period, VOO has performed better with a 12.83% return vs 7.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CEFA or VOO?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for CEFA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CEFA or VOO?

CEFA has the higher dividend yield at 2.68%, compared with 1.07% for VOO.

What is the main difference between CEFA and VOO?

CEFA is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while VOO is S&P 500. CEFA tracks S&P Developed ex-U.S. Catholic Values Index, while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for CEFA and 0.03% for VOO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.53 vs 1.40), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.