NDVG vs USMC
Nuveen Dividend Growth ETF vs Principal U.S. Mega-Cap ETF
Which is better, NDVG or USMC?
Each has led over a different period.
USMC has a lower expense ratio. NDVG led over 1Y, USMC over the full window. NDVG is less concentrated, with 43.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.6%.
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 | NDVG | USMC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.12%Best |
| AUM | $13M | $4.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.09% | 0.74% |
| Holdings | 43 | 213 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.1%Best | 15.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.7%Best | -24.1% |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $14,252 | $16,807Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 43.3%Best | 51.6% |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Principal Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 4, 2021 | Oct 11, 2017 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 219 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. NDVG has data through Apr 6, 2026 and USMC through Nov 11, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 5, 2021 to Apr 6, 2026 (4.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
USMC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 14.1% for NDVG. 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 -19.7% for NDVG and -24.1% for USMC. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NDVG charges 0.65% per year while USMC charges 0.12%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $12 annually, a gap of $53 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NDVG currently yields 1.09% against 0.74% for USMC.
Holdings Overlap
67.0% of NDVG's money is in holdings USMC also owns. 35.6% of USMC's money is in holdings NDVG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 288 days apart, NDVG as of Dec 31, 2025 and USMC as of Oct 15, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
24 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in NDVG and 101 in USMC, against full books of 43 and 213.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 77 positions for USMC that do not appear in our book for NDVG (64.4% of the fund), and 13 for NDVG that do not appear in USMC (21.6%).
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 NDVG | Weight in USMC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple Inc | 6.70% | 9.89% | 3.19% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 7.90% | 7.99% | 0.09% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 5.85% | 3.25% | 2.60% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 4.24% | 1.82% | 2.42% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.51% | 3.27% | 1.76% |
| APHAmphenol Corp. Class A | 3.60% | 0.40% | 3.20% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 2.76% | 0.98% | 1.78% |
| AXPAmerican Express Co. | 3.36% | 0.34% | 3.02% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 2.57% | 1.00% | 1.57% |
| XOMExxonmobil Corp. | 1.90% | 1.46% | 0.44% |
67.0% of NDVG is already inside USMC.
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, NDVG or USMC?
NDVG has an expense ratio of 0.65% while USMC charges 0.12%. USMC is the cheaper option, by $53 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, NDVG or USMC?
USMC has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 14.1% for NDVG. Worst drawdown: NDVG -19.7% vs USMC -24.1%.
Should I hold both NDVG and USMC?
NDVG and USMC have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 NDVG and USMC?
67.0% of NDVG's money is in holdings USMC also owns. 35.6% of USMC's is in holdings NDVG also owns. They hold 24 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in NDVG and 101 in USMC.
Which pays a higher dividend, NDVG or USMC?
NDVG yields 1.09% while USMC yields 0.74%, so NDVG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is USMC better than NDVG?
USMC has a lower expense ratio. NDVG led over 1Y, USMC over the full window. NDVG is less concentrated, with 43.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.