JCE vs VOO
Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, JCE or VOO?
Each has led over a different period.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. JCE led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y 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 | JCE | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.02% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $301M | $1.0T |
| Dividend Yield | 7.70% | 1.05% |
| Holdings | 142 | 519 |
| YTD Return | +13.28%Best | +10.69% |
| 1Y Return | +14.31%Best | +11.33% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.11% | +21.04%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.09% | +11.65%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.5% | 14.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -54.5% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,171 | $17,350Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 27, 2007 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Nov 10, 2026 (16.2 years).
JCE 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 16.2 years both funds cover.
JCE vs VOO Performance
Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund (JCE) is an ETF from Nuveen and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year JCE returned +14.31% while VOO returned +11.33%. Year to date, JCE is up 13.28% versus a gain of 10.69% for VOO.
Over three years, JCE compounded at +19.11% per year against +21.04% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +10.09% and +11.65% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.15% annualized vs +5.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
JCE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.5% compared with 14.0% for VOO. 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 -54.5% for JCE 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
JCE charges 1.02% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $102 vs $3 annually, a gap of $99 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, JCE currently yields 7.70% against 1.05% for VOO.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of JCE 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, JCE or VOO?
JCE has an expense ratio of 1.02% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $99 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, JCE or VOO?
Over the past year JCE returned +14.31% vs +11.33% for VOO, so JCE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), JCE annualized +5.74% vs +13.15% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, JCE or VOO?
JCE has been the more volatile fund at 20.5% annualized versus 14.0% for VOO. Worst drawdown: JCE -54.5% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both JCE and VOO?
JCE and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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, JCE or VOO?
JCE yields 7.70% while VOO yields 1.05%, so JCE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than JCE?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. JCE led over 1Y, VOO over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.