NSCR vs VYM
Nuveen Sustainable Core ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, NSCR or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.6%.
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 | NSCR | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $6M | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.07% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 56 | 608 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.6% | 10.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -20.8% | -14.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.1 years | $10,682 | $13,517Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.6% | 25.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 5, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
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. NSCR has data through Apr 6, 2026 and VYM through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 6, 2024 to Apr 6, 2026 (2.1 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NSCR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 10.5% for VYM. 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 -20.8% for NSCR and -14.5% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.36. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NSCR charges 0.45% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $4 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NSCR currently yields 2.07% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
24.4% of NSCR's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 23.9% of VYM's money is in holdings NSCR also owns.
NSCR and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 243 days apart, NSCR as of Dec 31, 2025 and VYM as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
17 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in NSCR and 602 in VYM, against full books of 56 and 608.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 556 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for NSCR (73.9% of the fund), and 38 for NSCR that do not appear in VYM (69.7%).
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 NSCR | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.31% | 6.94% | 3.63% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 2.92% | 2.58% | 0.34% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 0.92% | 3.83% | 2.91% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 2.06% | 1.76% | 0.30% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 2.67% | 0.90% | 1.77% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 1.46% | 1.83% | 0.37% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 2.09% | 0.27% | 1.82% |
| CMICummins Inc | 2.03% | 0.31% | 1.72% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 0.80% | 1.32% | 0.52% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.53% | 1.54% | 1.01% |
24.4% of NSCR is already inside VYM.
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, NSCR or VYM?
NSCR has an expense ratio of 0.45% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $41 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, NSCR or VYM?
NSCR has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 10.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: NSCR -20.8% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both NSCR and VYM?
NSCR and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.36, 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 NSCR and VYM?
24.4% of NSCR's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 23.9% of VYM's is in holdings NSCR also owns. They hold 17 positions in common, counted across the 58 positions we hold weights for in NSCR and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, NSCR or VYM?
NSCR yields 2.07% while VYM yields 2.37%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than NSCR?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.