VO vs. CTEF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VO (Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF) and CTEF (Castellan Targeted Equity ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. VO is passively managed, while CTEF is actively managed. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VO charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for CTEF.

Performance

VO vs. CTEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) and Castellan Targeted Equity ETF (CTEF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VO achieves a 10.05% return, which is significantly lower than CTEF's 29.35% return.

VO

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 3.20%
• YTD: 10.05%
• 6M: 9.73%
• 1Y: 18.13%
• 3Y*: 16.69%
• 5Y*: 7.87%
• 10Y*: 11.55%

CTEF

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: 10.65%
• YTD: 29.35%
• 6M: 31.78%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VO vs. CTEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	10.05%	7.86%
CTEF Castellan Targeted Equity ETF	29.35%	33.22%

Correlation

The correlation between VO and CTEF is 0.70, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 2025	0.70

Return for Risk

VO vs. CTEF — Risk / Return Rank

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

VO

VO Risk / Return Rank: 43
VO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VO Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VO Omega Ratio Rank: 38
VO Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
VO Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

VO vs. CTEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF (VO) and Castellan Targeted Equity ETF (CTEF). 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.

	VO	CTEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.48	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.14	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.23	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.50	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VO	CTEF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.48	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	3.54	-3.04

Drawdowns

VO vs. CTEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VO drawdown since its inception was -58.87%, which is greater than CTEF's maximum drawdown of -15.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VO and CTEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	VO	CTEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.87%	-15.00%	-43.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.17%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.02%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.57%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.37%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	-0.41%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.86%	-1.80%	-6.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.14%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VO	CTEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.99%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.21%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.34%	21.81%	-9.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.59%	21.81%	-4.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.95%	21.81%	-2.86%

VO vs. CTEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

VO has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than CTEF's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

VO vs. CTEF - Dividend Comparison

VO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.36%, more than CTEF's 0.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CTEF Castellan Targeted Equity ETF	0.06%	0.08%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VO Vanguard Mid-Cap ETF	1.36%	1.52%	1.49%	1.52%	1.60%	1.12%	1.45%	1.48%	1.82%	1.35%	1.45%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VO and CTEF in my portfolio?

VO and CTEF have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VO or CTEF?

On fees, VO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VO or CTEF?

VO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for CTEF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VO or CTEF?

VO has the higher dividend yield at 1.36%, compared with 0.06% for CTEF.

What is the main difference between VO and CTEF?

They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Castellan. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VO and 0.45% for CTEF.