SYLD vs. VLIFX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SYLD (Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF) and VLIFX (Value Line Mid Cap Focused Fund) are both funds - SYLD is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Cambria, while VLIFX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Value Line. Over the past 10 years, SYLD returned 13.04%/yr vs 11.57%/yr for VLIFX. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SYLD charges 0.59%/yr vs 1.07%/yr for VLIFX.

Performance

SYLD vs. VLIFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF (SYLD) and Value Line Mid Cap Focused Fund (VLIFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SYLD achieves a 14.24% return, which is significantly higher than VLIFX's -1.95% return. Over the past 10 years, SYLD has outperformed VLIFX with an annualized return of 13.04%, while VLIFX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.57% annualized return.

SYLD

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: -0.11%
• YTD: 14.24%
• 6M: 14.43%
• 1Y: 27.88%
• 3Y*: 13.67%
• 5Y*: 5.90%
• 10Y*: 13.04%

VLIFX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: -0.89%
• YTD: -1.95%
• 6M: -2.62%
• 1Y: -1.89%
• 3Y*: 6.53%
• 5Y*: 5.75%
• 10Y*: 11.57%

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

SYLD vs. VLIFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SYLD Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF	14.24%	3.94%	3.37%	16.46%	-6.14%	48.59%	13.61%	26.98%	-13.51%	20.03%
VLIFX Value Line Mid Cap Focused Fund	-1.95%	0.79%	7.59%	22.11%	-9.60%	19.76%	19.96%	35.30%	4.65%	19.85%

Correlation

The correlation between SYLD and VLIFX is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 15, 2013	0.73

The correlation between SYLD and VLIFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SYLD vs. VLIFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SYLD

SYLD Risk / Return Rank: 59
SYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
SYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
SYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 50
SYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
SYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 60

VLIFX

VLIFX Risk / Return Rank: 2
VLIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
VLIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
VLIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 2
VLIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
VLIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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.

SYLD vs. VLIFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF (SYLD) and Value Line Mid Cap Focused Fund (VLIFX). 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.

	SYLD	VLIFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	-0.17	+1.97
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.74	-0.15	+2.89
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	0.98	+0.33
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.00	-0.16	+4.16
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.87	-0.46	+11.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SYLD vs. VLIFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SYLD Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is higher than the VLIFX Sharpe Ratio of -0.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SYLD and VLIFX, 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

	SYLD	VLIFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.80	-0.17	+1.97
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	0.34	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.65	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.39	+0.19

Drawdowns

SYLD vs. VLIFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SYLD drawdown since its inception was -45.36%, smaller than the maximum VLIFX drawdown of -61.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SYLD and VLIFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SYLD	VLIFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.36%	-61.48%	+16.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.93%	-11.81%	+4.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.62%	-17.66%	-8.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.62%	-21.91%	-4.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.36%	-35.51%	-9.85%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.78%	-9.28%	+8.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.66%	-15.66%	+10.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.55%	4.14%	-1.59%

Volatility

SYLD vs. VLIFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF (SYLD) is 3.24%, while Value Line Mid Cap Focused Fund (VLIFX) has a volatility of 3.72%. This indicates that SYLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VLIFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SYLD	VLIFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.24%	3.72%	-0.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.92%	10.04%	-0.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.54%	13.46%	+2.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.62%	16.86%	+3.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.96%	17.86%	+5.10%

SYLD vs. VLIFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SYLD has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than VLIFX's 1.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

SYLD vs. VLIFX - Dividend Comparison

SYLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.86%, less than VLIFX's 2.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SYLD Cambria Shareholder Yield ETF	1.86%	2.25%	2.04%	1.92%	2.20%	2.37%	1.99%	2.08%	2.52%	1.57%	1.92%	6.93%
VLIFX Value Line Mid Cap Focused Fund	2.20%	2.16%	0.99%	0.03%	7.22%	8.23%	7.81%	1.42%	5.12%	1.61%	2.24%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SYLD and VLIFX in my portfolio?

SYLD and VLIFX have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SYLD or VLIFX?

VLIFX has higher volatility (3.72%) compared to SYLD (3.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SYLD dropped -45.36% vs VLIFX's -61.48%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs -0.17), 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.