NEA vs VXUS
Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, NEA or VXUS?
Municipal Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | NEA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.53% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | - | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.38% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 1,108 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -6.65% | +12.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.78% | +19.86%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.93% | +19.33%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -2.41% | +9.46%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.9%Best | 15.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -36.6%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,852 | $15,714Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 21, 2002 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Sep 18, 2026 (15.6 years).
NEA vs VXUS 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
NEA vs VXUS Performance
Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund (NEA) is an ETF from Nuveen and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NEA returned -1.78% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, NEA is down 6.65% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.
Over three years, NEA compounded at +7.93% per year against +19.33% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -2.41% and +9.46% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.72% annualized vs +0.61%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.0% compared with 11.9% for NEA. 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 -36.6% for NEA and -39.9% 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 0.38. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NEA charges 3.53% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $353 vs $5 annually, a gap of $348 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NEA currently yields 7.38% against 2.51% for VXUS.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NEA 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, NEA or VXUS?
NEA has an expense ratio of 3.53% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $348 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NEA or VXUS?
Over the past year NEA returned -1.78% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), NEA annualized +0.61% vs +4.72% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NEA or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.0% annualized versus 11.9% for NEA. Worst drawdown: NEA -36.6% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both NEA and VXUS?
NEA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.38, 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, NEA or VXUS?
NEA yields 7.38% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so NEA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than NEA?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.