CRED vs. VYM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

CRED (Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CRED is a REIT fund tracking the Beta Advantage Lionstone Research Enhanced REIT Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, CRED returned 8.96%/yr vs 19.05%/yr for VYM. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CRED charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.

Performance

CRED vs. VYM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF (CRED) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with CRED having a 12.55% return and VYM slightly higher at 12.96%.

CRED

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 12.55%
• 6M: 13.12%
• 1Y: 9.04%
• 3Y*: 8.96%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VYM

• 1D: 1.24%
• 1M: 2.98%
• YTD: 12.96%
• 6M: 13.69%
• 1Y: 27.70%
• 3Y*: 19.05%
• 5Y*: 11.67%
• 10Y*: 11.94%

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

CRED vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
CRED Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF	12.55%	-2.30%	5.21%	13.18%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	12.96%	15.42%	17.60%	9.39%

Correlation

The correlation between CRED and VYM is 0.55, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.55
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 27, 2023	0.64

The correlation between CRED and VYM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.55 to 0.64 - a consistent structural relationship.

CRED vs. VYM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	CRED	VYM
Real Estate	99.3%	0.0%
Financial Services	0.5%	20.5%
Basic Materials	-	3.5%
Communication Services	-	3.5%
Consumer Cyclical	-	6.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	8.1%
Energy	-	9.8%
Healthcare	-	12.2%
Industrials	-	12.1%
Technology	-	17.7%
Utilities	-	5.7%

Return for Risk

CRED vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

CRED

CRED Risk / Return Rank: 21
CRED Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
CRED Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
CRED Omega Ratio Rank: 20
CRED Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
CRED Martin Ratio Rank: 20

VYM

VYM Risk / Return Rank: 82
VYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
VYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
VYM Omega Ratio Rank: 81
VYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VYM Martin Ratio Rank: 79

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

CRED vs. VYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF (CRED) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). 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.

	CRED	VYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.71	2.71	-2.00
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.03	3.84	-2.81
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.49	-0.36
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.08	4.20	-3.12
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.45	15.80	-13.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CRED vs. VYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CRED Sharpe Ratio is 0.71, which is lower than the VYM Sharpe Ratio of 2.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CRED and VYM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	CRED	VYM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.71	2.71	-2.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.51	+0.05

Drawdowns

CRED vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CRED drawdown since its inception was -17.59%, smaller than the maximum VYM drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CRED and VYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	CRED	VYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.59%	-56.98%	+39.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.32%	-6.69%	-1.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.59%	-14.46%	-3.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-15.84%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.21%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.19%	0.00%	-2.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.65%	-7.20%	+1.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.67%	1.78%	+1.89%

Volatility

CRED vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF (CRED) has a higher volatility of 3.85% compared to Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) at 2.88%. This indicates that CRED's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CRED	VYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.85%	2.88%	+0.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.43%	7.73%	+1.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.73%	10.27%	+2.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.25%	13.96%	+2.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.25%	16.34%	-0.09%

CRED vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

CRED has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than VYM's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

CRED vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison

CRED's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.52%, more than VYM's 2.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CRED Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF	4.52%	5.50%	4.82%	2.72%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	2.18%	2.44%	2.74%	3.12%	3.01%	2.76%	3.18%	3.03%	3.40%	2.80%	2.91%	3.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CRED and VYM in my portfolio?

CRED and VYM have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CRED or VYM?

CRED has higher volatility (3.85%) compared to VYM (2.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CRED dropped -17.59% vs VYM's -56.98%.

Which ETF is better, CRED or VYM?

On 3-year performance, VYM leads with 19.05% vs 8.96% for CRED. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VYM has been the lower-risk option at 2.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CRED or VYM?

Over the 3-year period, VYM has performed better with a 19.05% return vs 8.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CRED or VYM?

VYM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.33% for CRED.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CRED or VYM?

CRED has the higher dividend yield at 4.52%, compared with 2.18% for VYM.

What is the main difference between CRED and VYM?

CRED is categorized as REIT, while VYM is Dividend. CRED tracks Beta Advantage Lionstone Research Enhanced REIT Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: Columbia and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.33% for CRED and 0.04% for VYM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.71 vs 0.71), 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.