NDVG vs VXUS
Nuveen Dividend Growth ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, NDVG or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. NDVG led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $13M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.09% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 43 | 8,747 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.1%Best | 15.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.7%Best | -29.4% |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $14,252Best | $13,834 |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 4, 2021 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 165 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 VXUS through Sep 18, 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
VXUS 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 -29.4% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NDVG charges 0.65% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $5 annually, a gap of $60 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NDVG currently yields 1.09% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.9% of NDVG's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
NDVG and VXUS share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 212 days apart, NDVG as of Dec 31, 2025 and VXUS as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in NDVG and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 43 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in NDVG | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WALMEX:MXWal-Mart De Mexico Sab De Cv | 2.91% | 0.03% | 2.88% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NDVG and VXUS 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, NDVG or VXUS?
NDVG has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $60 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, NDVG or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 14.1% for NDVG. Worst drawdown: NDVG -19.7% vs VXUS -29.4%.
Should I hold both NDVG and VXUS?
NDVG and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 VXUS?
At least 2.9% of NDVG's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in NDVG and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, NDVG or VXUS?
NDVG yields 1.09% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than NDVG?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. NDVG led over the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.