JCE vs VXUS
Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, JCE or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. JCE led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y.
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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.02% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | - | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.58% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 128 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +13.78% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.85% | +27.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.80% | +20.48%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.10%Best | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.7% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -54.5% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,927Best | $15,450 |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 27, 2007 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 4, 2026 (15.6 years).
JCE vs VXUS 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
JCE vs VXUS Performance
Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund (JCE) is an ETF from Nuveen and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year JCE returned +17.85% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, JCE is up 13.78% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Over three years, JCE compounded at +19.80% per year against +20.48% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.10% and +9.09% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, JCE has the edge at +5.20% annualized vs +4.93%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
JCE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.7% compared with 15.0% for VXUS. 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 -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.57. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
JCE charges 1.02% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $102 vs $5 annually, a gap of $97 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, JCE currently yields 7.58% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 117 holdings in JCE and 8,094 in VXUS, totalling 99.8% and 87.7% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 151 days apart, JCE as of Jan 30, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 117 positions we hold weights for in JCE and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 128 and 8,747.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of JCE and VXUS 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 VXUS?
JCE has an expense ratio of 1.02% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $97 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, JCE or VXUS?
Over the past year JCE returned +17.85% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), JCE annualized +5.20% vs +4.93% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, JCE or VXUS?
JCE has been the more volatile fund at 20.7% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: JCE -54.5% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both JCE and VXUS?
JCE and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.57, 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 VXUS?
JCE yields 7.58% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so JCE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than JCE?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. JCE led over 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y and 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.