NFRA vs VOO
Northern Trust STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, NFRA or VOO?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. NFRA is less concentrated, with 19.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.9%.
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 | NFRA | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.47% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3.0B | $1.0T |
| Dividend Yield | 5.92% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 216 | 506 |
| YTD Return | +4.94% | +13.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.61% | +17.55%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.31% | +22.46%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.50% | +13.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.6%Best | 14.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -32.9%Best | -34.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,070 | $18,654Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 19.1%Best | 37.9% |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 8, 2013 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 9, 2013 to Oct 14, 2026 (13 years).
NFRA vs VOO 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 13 years both funds cover.
NFRA vs VOO Performance
Northern Trust STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure ETF (NFRA) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NFRA returned +5.61% while VOO returned +17.55%. Year to date, NFRA is up 4.94% versus a gain of 13.57% for VOO.
Over three years, NFRA compounded at +13.31% per year against +22.46% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +5.50% and +13.28% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.26% annualized vs +4.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 12.6% for NFRA. 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 -32.9% for NFRA and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NFRA charges 0.47% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $47 vs $3 annually, a gap of $44 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NFRA currently yields 5.92% against 1.06% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
13.9% of NFRA's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 1.0% of VOO's money is in holdings NFRA also owns.
NFRA and VOO share little of their money.
9 positions in common, counted across the 72 positions we hold weights for in NFRA and 504 in VOO, against full books of 216 and 506.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 490 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for NFRA (98.7% of the fund), and 12 for NFRA that do not appear in VOO (16.5%).
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 NFRA | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EQIXEquinix, Inc. | 1.84% | 0.16% | 1.68% |
| DLRDigital Realty Trust Inc. | 1.66% | 0.10% | 1.56% |
| WELLWelltower, Inc. | 1.45% | 0.25% | 1.20% |
| WMWaste Management Inc | 1.57% | 0.12% | 1.45% |
| RSGRepublic Services Inc. Class A | 1.58% | 0.07% | 1.51% |
| AMTAmerican Tower Corp | 1.49% | 0.12% | 1.37% |
| HCAHca Healthcare Inc. | 1.46% | 0.10% | 1.36% |
| VTRVentas, Inc. | 1.45% | 0.07% | 1.38% |
| AWKAmerican Water Works Co. Inc. | 1.43% | 0.04% | 1.39% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NFRA and VOO you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, NFRA or VOO?
NFRA has an expense ratio of 0.47% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $44 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NFRA or VOO?
Over the past year NFRA returned +5.61% vs +17.55% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), NFRA annualized +4.99% vs +13.26% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NFRA or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 12.6% for NFRA. Worst drawdown: NFRA -32.9% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both NFRA and VOO?
NFRA and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 NFRA and VOO?
13.9% of NFRA's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 1.0% of VOO's is in holdings NFRA also owns. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 72 positions we hold weights for in NFRA and 504 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, NFRA or VOO?
NFRA yields 5.92% while VOO yields 1.06%, so NFRA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than NFRA?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. NFRA is less concentrated, with 19.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.