NCPB vs VYM
Nuveen Core Plus Bond ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, NCPB or VYM?
VYM has been ahead.
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 | NCPB | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.31% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $54M | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.32% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 976 | 608 |
| YTD Return | -2.30% | +9.22%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.20% | +12.81%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.21% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.39% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.7%Best | 10.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -4.4%Best | -14.5% |
| $10,000 over 2.6 years | $11,280 | $14,314Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 5, 2024 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 6, 2024 to Oct 1, 2026 (2.6 years).
NCPB 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 2.6 years both funds cover.
NCPB vs VYM Performance
Nuveen Core Plus Bond ETF (NCPB) is an ETF from Nuveen and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NCPB returned -1.20% while VYM returned +12.81%. Year to date, NCPB is down 2.30% versus a gain of 9.22% 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 10.7% compared with 4.7% for NCPB. 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 -4.4% for NCPB 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 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NCPB charges 0.31% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $31 vs $4 annually, a gap of $27 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NCPB currently yields 5.32% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.3% of VYM's money is in holdings NCPB also owns.
Stated as a floor: for NCPB, our book for it covers 62.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VYM and NCPB share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, NCPB as of Sep 15, 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.
2 positions in common, counted across the 318 positions we hold weights for in NCPB and 557 in VYM, against full books of 976 and 608.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NCPB 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, NCPB or VYM?
NCPB has an expense ratio of 0.31% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $27 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NCPB or VYM?
Over the past year NCPB returned -1.20% vs +12.81% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NCPB or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 10.7% annualized versus 4.7% for NCPB. Worst drawdown: NCPB -4.4% vs VYM -14.5%.
Should I hold both NCPB and VYM?
NCPB and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, 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 NCPB and VYM?
At least 1.3% of VYM's money is in holdings NCPB also owns. Our book for NCPB is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 318 positions we hold weights for in NCPB and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, NCPB or VYM?
NCPB yields 5.32% while VYM yields 2.22%, so NCPB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than NCPB?
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.