NAZ vs VXUS
Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, NAZ or VXUS?
Municipal Arizona against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 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 | NAZ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.72% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | - | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.94% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 219 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -0.71% | +12.88%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.40% | +19.97%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.57% | +20.14%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -1.54% | +8.87%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.2%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -40.8% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,253 | $15,295Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal Arizona | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 19, 1992 | 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 23, 2026 (15.7 years).
NAZ 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 15.7 years both funds cover.
NAZ vs VXUS Performance
Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund (NAZ) is an ETF from Nuveen and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NAZ returned +2.40% while VXUS returned +19.97%. Year to date, NAZ is down 0.71% versus a gain of 12.88% for VXUS.
Over three years, NAZ compounded at +11.57% per year against +20.14% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -1.54% and +8.87% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.72% annualized vs +1.28%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 12.2% for NAZ. 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 -40.8% for NAZ 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 0.34. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NAZ charges 3.72% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $372 vs $5 annually, a gap of $367 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NAZ currently yields 6.94% against 2.51% for VXUS.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NAZ 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, NAZ or VXUS?
NAZ has an expense ratio of 3.72% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $367 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NAZ or VXUS?
Over the past year NAZ returned +2.40% vs +19.97% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), NAZ annualized +1.28% vs +4.72% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NAZ or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 12.2% for NAZ. Worst drawdown: NAZ -40.8% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both NAZ and VXUS?
NAZ and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.34, 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, NAZ or VXUS?
NAZ yields 6.94% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so NAZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than NAZ?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.