JCE vs VYM
Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, JCE or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. JCE led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VYM over the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% 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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.02% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | - | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.37% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 128 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +14.10%Best | +10.24% |
| 1Y Return | +18.55%Best | +14.89% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.64%Best | +18.00% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.43%Best | +11.42% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.6% | 14.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -64.9% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,180Best | $17,172 |
| Top 10 Weight | 42.3% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 27, 2007 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 28, 2007 to Sep 25, 2026 (19.5 years).
JCE 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 19.5 years both funds cover.
JCE vs VYM Performance
Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund (JCE) is an ETF from Nuveen and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year JCE returned +18.55% while VYM returned +14.89%. Year to date, JCE is up 14.10% versus a gain of 10.24% for VYM.
Over three years, JCE compounded at +21.64% per year against +18.00% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +11.43% and +11.42% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.78% annualized vs +2.27%.
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 14.7% for VYM. 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 -58.8% 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
JCE charges 1.02% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $102 vs $4 annually, a gap of $98 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, JCE currently yields 7.37% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
30.1% of JCE's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 36.5% of VYM's money is in holdings JCE also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 182 days apart, JCE as of Jan 30, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
47 positions in common, counted across the 117 positions we hold weights for in JCE and 557 in VYM, against full books of 128 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 480 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for JCE (60.6% of the fund), and 67 for JCE that do not appear in VYM (69.0%).
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 VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.08% | 7.35% | 4.27% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 1.91% | 3.82% | 1.91% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 1.60% | 2.51% | 0.91% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.40% | 2.63% | 2.23% |
| BACBank Of America Corp. | 1.14% | 1.66% | 0.52% |
| PGProcter & Gamble Company | 1.14% | 1.37% | 0.23% |
| MRKMerck & Company Inc | 1.12% | 1.31% | 0.19% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 1.07% | 1.34% | 0.27% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.15% | 1.80% | 1.65% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.00% | 1.86% | 1.86% |
36.5% of VYM is already inside JCE.
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 VYM?
JCE has an expense ratio of 1.02% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $98 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, JCE or VYM?
Over the past year JCE returned +18.55% vs +14.89% for VYM, so JCE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), JCE annualized +2.27% vs +6.78% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, JCE or VYM?
JCE has been the more volatile fund at 20.6% annualized versus 14.7% for VYM. Worst drawdown: JCE -64.9% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both JCE and VYM?
JCE and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 VYM?
36.5% of VYM's money is in holdings JCE also owns. 36.5% of VYM's is in holdings JCE also owns. They hold 47 positions in common, counted across the 117 positions we hold weights for in JCE and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, JCE or VYM?
JCE yields 7.37% while VYM yields 2.22%, so JCE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than JCE?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. JCE led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, VYM over the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% 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.