BAFE vs NDVG
Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF vs Nuveen Dividend Growth ETF
Which is better, BAFE or NDVG?
Each has led over a different period.
BAFE has a lower expense ratio. BAFE led over 1Y, NDVG over the full window. NDVG is less concentrated, with 43.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 45.4%.
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 | BAFE | NDVG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.54%Best | 0.65% |
| AUM | $1.8B | $13M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.27% | 1.09% |
| Holdings | 90 | 43 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.7% | 9.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -18.4% | -14.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $10,256 | $10,376Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 45.4% | 43.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Brown Advisory | Nuveen |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 18, 2024 | Aug 4, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 191 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. BAFE has data through Oct 14, 2026 and NDVG through Apr 6, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 18, 2024 to Apr 6, 2026 (1.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BAFE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11.7% compared with 9.3% for NDVG. 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 -18.4% for BAFE and -14.9% for NDVG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.46. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BAFE charges 0.54% per year while NDVG charges 0.65%. On a $10,000 position that is $54 vs $65 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BAFE currently yields 0.27% against 1.09% for NDVG.
Holdings Overlap
24.9% of BAFE's money is in holdings NDVG also owns. 27.6% of NDVG's money is in holdings BAFE also owns.
NDVG and BAFE share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 274 days apart, BAFE as of Oct 1, 2026 and NDVG as of Dec 31, 2025, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
9 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in BAFE and 41 in NDVG, against full books of 90 and 43.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 28 positions for NDVG that do not appear in our book for BAFE (60.9% of the fund), and 28 for BAFE that do not appear in NDVG (57.9%).
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 BAFE | Weight in NDVG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 6.49% | 7.90% | 1.41% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 1.90% | 6.70% | 4.80% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 3.73% | 2.76% | 0.97% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 4.60% | 1.51% | 3.09% |
| DHRDanaher Corporation | 2.35% | 1.95% | 0.40% |
| TJXTjx Cos., Inc. | 1.18% | 2.40% | 1.22% |
| ELVElevance Health Inc | 1.94% | 1.51% | 0.43% |
| SPGIS&p Global Inc. | 1.35% | 1.82% | 0.47% |
| MDLZMondelez International Inc Com A Npv | 1.36% | 1.09% | 0.27% |
27.6% of NDVG is already inside BAFE.
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, BAFE or NDVG?
BAFE has an expense ratio of 0.54% while NDVG charges 0.65%. BAFE is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, BAFE or NDVG?
BAFE has been the more volatile fund at 11.7% annualized versus 9.3% for NDVG. Worst drawdown: BAFE -18.4% vs NDVG -14.9%.
Should I hold both BAFE and NDVG?
BAFE and NDVG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.46, 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 BAFE and NDVG?
27.6% of NDVG's money is in holdings BAFE also owns. 27.6% of NDVG's is in holdings BAFE also owns. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in BAFE and 41 in NDVG.
Which pays a higher dividend, BAFE or NDVG?
BAFE yields 0.27% while NDVG yields 1.09%, so NDVG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is NDVG better than BAFE?
BAFE has a lower expense ratio. BAFE led over 1Y, NDVG over the full window. NDVG is less concentrated, with 43.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 45.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.