NERD vs VTI
Roundhill Video Games ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, NERD or VTI?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 64.6%.
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 | NERD | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $15M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.67% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 43 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -8.74% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | -21.93% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.88% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -2.29% | +12.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.5% | 16.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -65.6% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,906 | $17,908Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 64.6% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Roundhill Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 3, 2019 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 4, 2019 to Sep 18, 2026 (7.3 years).
NERD vs VTI 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 7.3 years both funds cover.
NERD vs VTI Performance
Roundhill Video Games ETF (NERD) is an ETF from Roundhill Investments and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NERD returned -21.93% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, NERD is down 8.74% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, NERD compounded at +16.88% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -2.29% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +15.30% annualized vs +6.25%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NERD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.5% compared with 16.8% for VTI. 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 -65.6% for NERD and -35.0% 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NERD charges 0.50% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $3 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NERD currently yields 0.67% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
18.4% of NERD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.1% of VTI's money is in holdings NERD also owns.
NERD and VTI share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in NERD and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 43 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,147 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for NERD (97.3% of the fund), and 3 for NERD that do not appear in VTI (12.2%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NERD and VTI 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, NERD or VTI?
NERD has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NERD or VTI?
Over the past year NERD returned -21.93% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), NERD annualized +6.25% vs +15.30% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NERD or VTI?
NERD has been the more volatile fund at 22.5% annualized versus 16.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: NERD -65.6% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both NERD and VTI?
NERD and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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 NERD and VTI?
18.4% of NERD's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.1% of VTI's is in holdings NERD also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in NERD and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, NERD or VTI?
NERD yields 0.67% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than NERD?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 64.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.