NFJ vs VTI
Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, NFJ or VTI?
Allocation/Balanced against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. NFJ led over 1Y, VTI over 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 | NFJ | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.96% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.5B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.39% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 182 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +26.67%Best | +12.57% |
| 1Y Return | +30.10%Best | +17.22% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.36% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.01% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.5% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -70.3% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,393 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | Virtus Investment Partners | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Allocation/Balanced | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 28, 2005 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 24, 2005 to Sep 11, 2026 (21.5 years).
NFJ 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
NFJ vs VTI Performance
Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund (NFJ) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NFJ returned +30.10% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, NFJ is up 26.67% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, NFJ compounded at +19.36% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +9.01% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.42% annualized vs -0.07%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NFJ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.5% compared with 15.4% 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 -70.3% for NFJ and -56.6% 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NFJ charges 0.96% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $96 vs $3 annually, a gap of $93 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NFJ currently yields 7.39% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 78.9% of NFJ's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of NFJ is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 123 days apart, NFJ as of Feb 27, 2026 and VTI as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
122 positions in common, counted across the 153 positions we hold weights for in NFJ and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 182 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in NFJ | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOOGLAlphabet A Usd 0.001 | 3.11% | 2.88% | 0.23% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 1.10% | 3.81% | 2.71% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc. | 2.77% | 1.30% | 1.47% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 2.41% | 1.40% | 1.01% |
| PLDPrologis Inc | 3.51% | 0.17% | 3.34% |
| GEVGE Vernova Inc. CDR (CAD Hedged) | 3.09% | 0.43% | 2.66% |
| MRVLMarvell Technology Group Ltd | 2.98% | 0.37% | 2.61% |
| SCHWCharles Schwab Corp. | 3.05% | 0.21% | 2.84% |
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 1.51% | 1.11% | 0.40% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 0.00% | 2.27% | 2.27% |
78.9% of NFJ 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, NFJ or VTI?
NFJ has an expense ratio of 0.96% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $93 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NFJ or VTI?
Over the past year NFJ returned +30.10% vs +17.22% for VTI, so NFJ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), NFJ annualized -0.07% vs +9.42% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NFJ or VTI?
NFJ has been the more volatile fund at 17.5% annualized versus 15.4% for VTI. Worst drawdown: NFJ -70.3% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both NFJ and VTI?
NFJ and VTI 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 NFJ and VTI?
At least 78.9% of NFJ's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 122 positions in common, counted across the 153 positions we hold weights for in NFJ and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, NFJ or VTI?
NFJ yields 7.39% while VTI yields 1.03%, so NFJ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than NFJ?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. NFJ led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.