NFRA vs VTI
Northern Trust STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, NFRA or VTI?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. NFRA is less concentrated, with 28.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | NFRA | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.47% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $3.1B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.64% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 216 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +8.58% | +12.28%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.04% | +16.78%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.72% | +20.89%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.02% | +11.94%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.6%Best | 14.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -32.9%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,395 | $17,576Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 28.3%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 8, 2013 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 9, 2013 to Sep 17, 2026 (12.9 years).
NFRA 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 12.9 years both funds cover.
NFRA vs VTI Performance
Northern Trust STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure ETF (NFRA) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NFRA returned +10.04% while VTI returned +16.78%. Year to date, NFRA is up 8.58% versus a gain of 12.28% for VTI.
Over three years, NFRA compounded at +12.72% per year against +20.89% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +6.02% and +11.94% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +12.71% annualized vs +5.29%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.9% compared with 12.6% for NFRA. 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 -32.9% for NFRA 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NFRA charges 0.47% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $47 vs $3 annually, a gap of $44 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NFRA currently yields 5.64% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
40.5% of NFRA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.9% of VTI's money is in holdings NFRA also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
60 positions in common, counted across the 174 positions we hold weights for in NFRA and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 216 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,101 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for NFRA (93.6% of the fund), and 3 for NFRA that do not appear in VTI (1.1%).
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 NFRA | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VZVerizon Communic | 2.81% | 0.24% | 2.57% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 2.41% | 0.24% | 2.17% |
| TBBAt&t Inc | 2.42% | 0.22% | 2.20% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 2.32% | 0.25% | 2.07% |
| WCN:CAWaste Connections Inc Common Stock Cad 0 | 1.94% | 0.06% | 1.88% |
| EQIXEquinix Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 1.40% | 0.14% | 1.26% |
| SOSouthern Co. | 1.33% | 0.15% | 1.18% |
| CMCSAComcast Corp-class A Cmcsa | 1.28% | 0.12% | 1.16% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp | 1.26% | 0.14% | 1.12% |
| CSXCsx Corp. | 1.26% | 0.13% | 1.13% |
40.5% of NFRA 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, NFRA or VTI?
NFRA has an expense ratio of 0.47% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $44 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NFRA or VTI?
Over the past year NFRA returned +10.04% vs +16.78% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), NFRA annualized +5.29% vs +12.71% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NFRA or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 14.9% annualized versus 12.6% for NFRA. Worst drawdown: NFRA -32.9% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both NFRA and VTI?
NFRA and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 NFRA and VTI?
40.5% of NFRA's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 3.9% of VTI's is in holdings NFRA also owns. They hold 60 positions in common, counted across the 174 positions we hold weights for in NFRA and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, NFRA or VTI?
NFRA yields 5.64% while VTI yields 1.03%, so NFRA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than NFRA?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. NFRA is less concentrated, with 28.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.