BAFE vs VNSE
Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF vs Natixis Vaughan Nelson Select ETF
Which is better, BAFE or VNSE?
Each has led over a different period.
BAFE has a lower expense ratio. BAFE led over 1Y, VNSE over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. BAFE is less concentrated, with 45.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.2%.
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 | VNSE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.54%Best | 0.80% |
| AUM | $1.8B | $15M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.27% | 0.20% |
| Holdings | 90 | 29 |
| YTD Return | +10.99%Best | +9.66% |
| 1Y Return | +13.45%Best | +10.37% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +15.08% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +8.92% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.3%Best | 13.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -18.4%Best | -20.9% |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $12,143 | $12,377Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 45.4%Best | 55.2% |
| Fund Family | Brown Advisory | Natixis Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 18, 2024 | Sep 17, 2020 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 18, 2024 to Oct 15, 2026 (1.9 years).
BAFE vs VNSE growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 1.9 years both funds cover.
BAFE vs VNSE Performance
Brown Advisory Flexible Equity ETF (BAFE) is an ETF from Brown Advisory and Natixis Vaughan Nelson Select ETF (VNSE) is an ETF from Natixis Funds. Over the past year BAFE returned +13.45% while VNSE returned +10.37%. Year to date, BAFE is up 10.99% versus a gain of 9.66% for VNSE.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VNSE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.9% compared with 13.3% for BAFE. 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 -20.9% for VNSE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BAFE charges 0.54% per year while VNSE charges 0.80%. On a $10,000 position that is $54 vs $80 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BAFE currently yields 0.27% against 0.20% for VNSE.
Holdings Overlap
38.4% of BAFE's money is in holdings VNSE also owns. 47.5% of VNSE's money is in holdings BAFE also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
10 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in BAFE and 27 in VNSE, against full books of 90 and 29.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 14 positions for VNSE that do not appear in our book for BAFE (43.4% of the fund), and 28 for BAFE that do not appear in VNSE (52.2%).
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 VNSE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2330:TWTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd | 7.75% | 7.18% | 0.57% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 3.84% | 9.16% | 5.32% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 3.72% | 6.57% | 2.85% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.42% | 4.69% | 0.27% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 4.60% | 3.96% | 0.64% |
| VVisa Inc Class A | 4.22% | 3.08% | 1.14% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 1.90% | 4.86% | 2.96% |
| SCHWSchwab Strategic T | 2.09% | 3.43% | 1.34% |
| URIUnited Rentals Inc. | 2.75% | 2.62% | 0.13% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway Inc Brk/B Us Equity | 3.11% | 1.96% | 1.15% |
47.5% of VNSE 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 VNSE?
BAFE has an expense ratio of 0.54% while VNSE charges 0.80%. BAFE is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BAFE or VNSE?
Over the past year BAFE returned +13.45% vs +10.37% for VNSE, so BAFE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), BAFE annualized +10.76% vs +11.88% for VNSE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BAFE or VNSE?
VNSE has been the more volatile fund at 13.9% annualized versus 13.3% for BAFE. Worst drawdown: BAFE -18.4% vs VNSE -20.9%.
Should I hold both BAFE and VNSE?
BAFE and VNSE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between BAFE and VNSE?
47.5% of VNSE's money is in holdings BAFE also owns. 47.5% of VNSE's is in holdings BAFE also owns. They hold 10 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in BAFE and 27 in VNSE.
Which pays a higher dividend, BAFE or VNSE?
BAFE yields 0.27% while VNSE yields 0.20%, so BAFE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VNSE better than BAFE?
BAFE has a lower expense ratio. BAFE led over 1Y, VNSE over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. BAFE is less concentrated, with 45.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.