NXUS vs VYM
Nuveen International Aggregate Bond ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, NXUS or VYM?
VYM has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | NXUS | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.08% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $4.0B | $78.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.58% | 2.37% |
| Holdings | 3,351 | 608 |
| YTD Return | -0.49% | +11.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.04% | +15.96%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.60% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.51% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.6%Best | 10.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -3.1%Best | -6.7% |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $10,008 | $11,672Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 23, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 24, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.1 years).
NXUS vs VYM 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 1.1 years both funds cover.
NXUS vs VYM Performance
Nuveen International Aggregate Bond ETF (NXUS) is an ETF from Nuveen and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NXUS returned -1.04% while VYM returned +15.96%. Year to date, NXUS is down 0.49% versus a gain of 11.83% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 10.8% compared with 3.6% for NXUS. 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 -3.1% for NXUS and -6.7% 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NXUS charges 0.08% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $8 vs $4 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NXUS currently yields 2.58% against 2.37% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.2% of VYM's money is in holdings NXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for NXUS, our book for it covers 0.1% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in NXUS and 602 in VYM, against full books of 3,351 and 608.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in NXUS | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| STTState Street Corp. | 0.13% | 0.21% | 0.08% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NXUS and VYM 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, NXUS or VYM?
NXUS has an expense ratio of 0.08% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NXUS or VYM?
Over the past year NXUS returned -1.04% vs +15.96% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), NXUS annualized +0.07% vs +15.09% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NXUS or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 10.8% annualized versus 3.6% for NXUS. Worst drawdown: NXUS -3.1% vs VYM -6.7%.
Should I hold both NXUS and VYM?
NXUS and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, NXUS or VYM?
NXUS yields 2.58% while VYM yields 2.37%, so NXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than NXUS?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.