NCA vs VTI
Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund Inc. vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, NCA or VTI?
Municipal California against Large Cap Blend.
VTI 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 | NCA | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | - | 0.03% |
| AUM | - | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.89% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 136 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +0.53% | +11.65%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.00% | +17.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.96% | +20.35%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.15% | +11.72%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.7%Best | 15.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -30.1%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,075 | $17,404Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal California | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 7, 1987 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 31, 2001 to Sep 10, 2026 (25.3 years).
NCA 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
NCA vs VTI Performance
Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund Inc. (NCA) is an ETF from Nuveen and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NCA returned +5.00% while VTI returned +17.34%. Year to date, NCA is up 0.53% versus a gain of 11.65% for VTI.
Over three years, NCA compounded at +4.96% per year against +20.35% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +0.15% and +11.72% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.01% annualized vs +0.58%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 9.7% for NCA. 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 -30.1% for NCA 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 0.22. They move largely independently of each other.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 74 holdings in NCA and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 47.5% and 90.6% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 74 positions we hold weights for in NCA and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 136 and 3,543.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NCA and VTI 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 performed better, NCA or VTI?
Over the past year NCA returned +5.00% vs +17.34% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), NCA annualized +0.58% vs +8.01% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NCA or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 9.7% for NCA. Worst drawdown: NCA -30.1% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both NCA and VTI?
NCA and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.22, 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, NCA or VTI?
NCA yields 3.89% while VTI yields 1.03%, so NCA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than NCA?
VTI 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.