NDVG vs VTI
Nuveen Dividend Growth ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, NDVG or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.3%.
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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $13M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.09% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 43 | 3,524 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.1%Best | 15.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.7%Best | -25.4% |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $14,252 | $15,260Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 43.3% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 4, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 178 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 VTI through Oct 1, 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
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% 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 -25.4% 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 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NDVG charges 0.65% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $3 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NDVG currently yields 1.09% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
88.0% of NDVG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 24.1% of VTI's money is in holdings NDVG also owns.
Most of NDVG is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 212 days apart, NDVG as of Dec 31, 2025 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
37 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in NDVG and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 43 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,114 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for NDVG (73.4% of the fund), and 0 for NDVG that do not appear in VTI (0.0%).
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 VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.70% | 6.29% | 0.41% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 7.90% | 4.79% | 3.11% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 5.85% | 2.56% | 3.29% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase | 4.24% | 1.31% | 2.93% |
| APHAmphenol Corp. Class A | 3.60% | 0.27% | 3.33% |
| AXPAmerican Express Co. | 3.36% | 0.25% | 3.11% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 2.76% | 0.63% | 2.13% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.51% | 1.70% | 0.19% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 2.57% | 0.61% | 1.96% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 2.68% | 0.25% | 2.43% |
88.0% of NDVG is already inside VTI.
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 VTI?
NDVG has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, NDVG or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 14.1% for NDVG. Worst drawdown: NDVG -19.7% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both NDVG and VTI?
NDVG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 VTI?
88.0% of NDVG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 24.1% of VTI's is in holdings NDVG also owns. They hold 37 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in NDVG and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, NDVG or VTI?
NDVG yields 1.09% while VTI yields 1.03%, so NDVG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than NDVG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 43.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.