USMC vs VNSE
Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF vs Natixis Vaughan Nelson Select ETF
Which is better, USMC or VNSE?
USMC has been ahead.
USMC has a lower expense ratio. USMC led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. VNSE is less concentrated, with 55.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.3%.
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 | USMC | VNSE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.12%Best | 0.80% |
| AUM | $5.2B | $15M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.74% | 0.20% |
| Holdings | 58 | 29 |
| YTD Return | +13.98%Best | +9.71% |
| 1Y Return | +14.91%Best | +10.82% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.22%Best | +15.12% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.81%Best | +9.11% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.9%Best | 16.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -24.1%Best | -24.2% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,948Best | $15,464 |
| Top 10 Weight | 55.3% | 55.2%Best |
| Fund Family | Principal Funds | Natixis Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 11, 2017 | Sep 17, 2020 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 17, 2020 to Oct 14, 2026 (6.1 years).
USMC 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 6.1 years both funds cover.
USMC vs VNSE Performance
Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF (USMC) is an ETF from Principal Funds and Natixis Vaughan Nelson Select ETF (VNSE) is an ETF from Natixis Funds. Over the past year USMC returned +14.91% while VNSE returned +10.82%. Year to date, USMC is up 13.98% versus a gain of 9.71% for VNSE.
Over three years, USMC compounded at +22.22% per year against +15.12% for VNSE; over five years the annualized figures are +14.81% and +9.11% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, USMC has the edge at +16.71% annualized vs +13.83%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VNSE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 14.9% for USMC. 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 -24.1% for USMC and -24.2% 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
USMC charges 0.12% per year while VNSE charges 0.80%. On a $10,000 position that is $12 vs $80 annually, a gap of $68 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USMC currently yields 0.74% against 0.20% for VNSE.
Holdings Overlap
45.3% of USMC's money is in holdings VNSE also owns. 48.8% of VNSE's money is in holdings USMC also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
10 positions in common, counted across the 27 positions we hold weights for in USMC and 27 in VNSE, against full books of 58 and 29.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 13 positions for VNSE that do not appear in our book for USMC (35.0% of the fund), and 17 for USMC that do not appear in VNSE (54.7%).
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 USMC | Weight in VNSE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 7.99% | 9.16% | 1.17% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.40% | 4.86% | 2.54% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc Cap Stk Cl A | 5.33% | 6.57% | 1.24% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.77% | 4.69% | 0.92% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 2.28% | 6.18% | 3.90% |
| METAMeta Platform Inc | 3.92% | 3.96% | 0.04% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 4.65% | 3.13% | 1.52% |
| VVisa Inc-class A Shares | 4.54% | 3.08% | 1.46% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 2.34% | 5.16% | 2.82% |
| BRK.BBrk/B | 3.07% | 1.96% | 1.11% |
48.8% of VNSE is already inside USMC.
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, USMC or VNSE?
USMC has an expense ratio of 0.12% while VNSE charges 0.80%. USMC is the cheaper option, by $68 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, USMC or VNSE?
Over the past year USMC returned +14.91% vs +10.82% for VNSE, so USMC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), USMC annualized +16.71% vs +13.83% for VNSE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, USMC or VNSE?
VNSE has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 14.9% for USMC. Worst drawdown: USMC -24.1% vs VNSE -24.2%.
Should I hold both USMC and VNSE?
USMC 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 USMC and VNSE?
48.8% of VNSE's money is in holdings USMC also owns. 48.8% of VNSE's is in holdings USMC also owns. They hold 10 positions in common, counted across the 27 positions we hold weights for in USMC and 27 in VNSE.
Which pays a higher dividend, USMC or VNSE?
USMC yields 0.74% while VNSE yields 0.20%, so USMC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VNSE better than USMC?
USMC has a lower expense ratio. USMC led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. VNSE is less concentrated, with 55.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.