NFRA vs VXUS
Northern Trust STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, NFRA or VXUS?
Large Cap Value 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 | NFRA | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.47% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $3.1B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.64% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 216 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +9.69% | +14.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.77% | +24.27%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.62% | +19.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.78% | +9.07%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.6%Best | 14.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -32.9%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,244 | $15,436Best |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Oct 8, 2013 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 9, 2013 to Sep 9, 2026 (12.9 years).
NFRA 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 12.9 years both funds cover.
NFRA vs VXUS Performance
Northern Trust STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure ETF (NFRA) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NFRA returned +12.77% while VXUS returned +24.27%. Year to date, NFRA is up 9.69% versus a gain of 14.83% for VXUS.
Over three years, NFRA compounded at +13.62% per year against +19.98% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +5.78% and +9.07% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +5.78% annualized vs +5.39%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% 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 -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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NFRA charges 0.47% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $47 vs $5 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NFRA currently yields 5.64% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 39.2% of NFRA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 87.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
79 positions in common, counted across the 175 positions we hold weights for in NFRA and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 216 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in NFRA | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CP:CACanadian Pac Kans City Ltd Npv | 3.82% | 0.17% | 3.65% |
| CNI:CACanadian Natl Railway Co | 3.25% | 0.14% | 3.11% |
| IBE:MAIberdrola Sa | 2.25% | 0.37% | 1.88% |
| WCN:CAWaste Connections Inc Common Stock Cad 0 | 1.95% | 0.09% | 1.86% |
| ENB:CAEnbridge Inc. | 1.70% | 0.26% | 1.44% |
| TCL:AUTransurban Group | 1.49% | 0.07% | 1.42% |
| NG:LNNational Grid, Plc | 1.27% | 0.18% | 1.09% |
| VIE:PAVeolia Environnement | 1.23% | 0.06% | 1.17% |
| 9020:JPEast Japan Railway Co. Com Stk | 1.14% | 0.05% | 1.09% |
| ICT:PHIntl Container Term Svcs Php1 | 1.12% | 0.04% | 1.08% |
39.2% of NFRA is already inside VXUS.
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 VXUS?
NFRA has an expense ratio of 0.47% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NFRA or VXUS?
Over the past year NFRA returned +12.77% vs +24.27% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), NFRA annualized +5.39% vs +5.78% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NFRA or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 12.6% for NFRA. Worst drawdown: NFRA -32.9% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both NFRA and VXUS?
NFRA and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 VXUS?
At least 39.2% of NFRA's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 79 positions in common, counted across the 175 positions we hold weights for in NFRA and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, NFRA or VXUS?
NFRA yields 5.64% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so NFRA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than NFRA?
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.