JCE vs VTI
Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, JCE or VTI?
Each has led over a different period.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. JCE led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.3%.
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 | JCE | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.02% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | - | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.37% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 128 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +13.96%Best | +12.43% |
| 1Y Return | +18.03%Best | +15.92% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.57% | +22.42%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.61% | +12.37%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.6% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -64.9% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,319 | $17,916Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 42.3% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 27, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 28, 2007 to Sep 28, 2026 (19.5 years).
JCE vs VTI 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 19.5 years both funds cover.
JCE vs VTI Performance
Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund (JCE) is an ETF from Nuveen and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year JCE returned +18.03% while VTI returned +15.92%. Year to date, JCE is up 13.96% versus a gain of 12.43% for VTI.
Over three years, JCE compounded at +20.57% per year against +22.42% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +11.61% and +12.37% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.38% annualized vs +2.26%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
JCE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.6% compared with 16.0% for VTI. 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 -64.9% for JCE and -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
JCE charges 1.02% per year while VTI 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 7.37% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
94.0% of JCE's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 54.4% of VTI's money is in holdings JCE also owns.
Most of JCE is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 182 days apart, JCE as of Jan 30, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
109 positions in common, counted across the 117 positions we hold weights for in JCE and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 128 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,047 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for JCE (43.1% of the fund), and 6 for JCE that do not appear in VTI (5.1%).
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 JCE | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 8.48% | 6.40% | 2.08% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.13% | 6.29% | 0.84% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.96% | 4.79% | 1.17% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.56% | 3.65% | 0.91% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 3.28% | 2.90% | 0.38% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 3.40% | 2.31% | 1.09% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.08% | 2.56% | 0.52% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.41% | 1.70% | 0.71% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway, Inc. | 2.09% | 1.28% | 0.81% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.91% | 1.31% | 0.60% |
94.0% of JCE is already inside VTI.
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, JCE or VTI?
JCE has an expense ratio of 1.02% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $99 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, JCE or VTI?
Over the past year JCE returned +18.03% vs +15.92% for VTI, so JCE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), JCE annualized +2.26% vs +9.38% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, JCE or VTI?
JCE has been the more volatile fund at 20.6% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: JCE -64.9% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both JCE and VTI?
JCE and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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 JCE and VTI?
94.0% of JCE's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 54.4% of VTI's is in holdings JCE also owns. They hold 109 positions in common, counted across the 117 positions we hold weights for in JCE and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, JCE or VTI?
JCE yields 7.37% while VTI yields 1.03%, so JCE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than JCE?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. JCE led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 42.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.