NCLO vs VYM
Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, NCLO or VYM?
Bank Loan against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y 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 | NCLO | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.26% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $154M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.73% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 103 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +3.82% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.74% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 1.2%Best | 9.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -3.0%Best | -14.5% |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $10,971 | $12,825Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Bank Loan | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 10, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 11, 2024 to Sep 10, 2026 (1.7 years).
NCLO 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 1.7 years both funds cover.
NCLO vs VYM Performance
Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF (NCLO) is an ETF from Nuveen and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NCLO returned +5.74% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, NCLO is up 3.82% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 9.7% compared with 1.2% for NCLO. 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 -3.0% for NCLO and -14.5% 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 0.58. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NCLO charges 0.26% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $26 vs $4 annually, a gap of $22 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NCLO currently yields 5.73% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in NCLO and 603 in VYM, totalling 1.5% and 99.5% 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 2 positions we hold weights for in NCLO and 603 in VYM, against full books of 103 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NCLO and VYM 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, NCLO or VYM?
NCLO has an expense ratio of 0.26% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $22 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NCLO or VYM?
Over the past year NCLO returned +5.74% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), NCLO annualized +5.60% vs +15.76% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NCLO or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 9.7% annualized versus 1.2% for NCLO. Worst drawdown: NCLO -3.0% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both NCLO and VYM?
NCLO and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.58, 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, NCLO or VYM?
NCLO yields 5.73% while VYM yields 2.22%, so NCLO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than NCLO?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.