NAIL vs VTI
Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, NAIL or VTI?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 72.9%.
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 | NAIL | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.96% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $545M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.85% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 102 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | -44.26% | +12.51%Best |
| 1Y Return | -61.83% | +15.23%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -18.26% | +22.50%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -15.05% | +12.31%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 86.6% | 15.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -93.8% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $4,424 | $17,869Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 72.9% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 19, 2015 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 19, 2015 to Oct 1, 2026 (11.1 years).
NAIL 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 11.1 years both funds cover.
NAIL vs VTI Performance
Direxion Daily Homebuilders & Supplies Bull 3X ETF (NAIL) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NAIL returned -61.83% while VTI returned +15.23%. Year to date, NAIL is down 44.26% versus a gain of 12.51% for VTI.
Over three years, NAIL compounded at -18.26% per year against +22.50% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -15.05% and +12.31% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.69% annualized vs -2.73%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NAIL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 86.6% compared with 15.5% 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 -93.8% for NAIL and -35.0% 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NAIL charges 0.96% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $96 vs $3 annually, a gap of $93 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NAIL currently yields 0.85% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
68.6% of NAIL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.1% of VTI's money is in holdings NAIL also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, NAIL as of Sep 15, 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.
41 positions in common, counted across the 45 positions we hold weights for in NAIL and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 102 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,125 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for NAIL (96.4% of the fund), and 4 for NAIL that do not appear in VTI (33.0%).
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 NAIL | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DHIDr Horton Inc. | 11.61% | 0.05% | 11.56% |
| PHMPultegroup Inc. | 7.15% | 0.03% | 7.12% |
| LENLennar Corp. Class A | 5.44% | 0.02% | 5.42% |
| NVRNvr Inc. | 5.36% | 0.02% | 5.34% |
| HDHome Depot Inc/The | 3.37% | 0.46% | 2.91% |
| SHWSherwin Williams Co/the | 3.69% | 0.11% | 3.58% |
| TOLToll Bros Inc | 3.53% | 0.02% | 3.51% |
| LOWLowes Cos., Inc. | 3.17% | 0.16% | 3.01% |
| MASMasco Corp. | 2.22% | 0.02% | 2.20% |
| LIILennox International Inc | 1.84% | 0.02% | 1.82% |
68.6% of NAIL 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, NAIL or VTI?
NAIL has an expense ratio of 0.96% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $93 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NAIL or VTI?
Over the past year NAIL returned -61.83% vs +15.23% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), NAIL annualized -2.73% vs +12.69% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NAIL or VTI?
NAIL has been the more volatile fund at 86.6% annualized versus 15.5% for VTI. Worst drawdown: NAIL -93.8% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both NAIL and VTI?
NAIL and VTI 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 NAIL and VTI?
68.6% of NAIL's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.1% of VTI's is in holdings NAIL also owns. They hold 41 positions in common, counted across the 45 positions we hold weights for in NAIL and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, NAIL or VTI?
NAIL yields 0.85% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than NAIL?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 72.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.