NFRA vs VYM
Northern Trust STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, NFRA or VYM?
VYM has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 28.3%.
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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.47% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $3.1B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.64% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 216 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +9.69% | +13.75%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.77% | +19.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.62% | +18.22%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.78% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.6%Best | 13.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -32.9%Best | -35.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,244 | $17,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 28.3% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Oct 8, 2013 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 9, 2013 to Sep 9, 2026 (12.9 years).
NFRA vs VYM 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 VYM Performance
Northern Trust STOXX Global Broad Infrastructure ETF (NFRA) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NFRA returned +12.77% while VYM returned +19.42%. Year to date, NFRA is up 9.69% versus a gain of 13.75% for VYM.
Over three years, NFRA compounded at +13.62% per year against +18.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +5.78% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.84% annualized vs +5.39%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.4% 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 -35.7% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NFRA charges 0.47% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $47 vs $4 annually, a gap of $43 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NFRA currently yields 5.64% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
26.4% of NFRA's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 7.9% of VYM's money is in holdings NFRA also owns.
NFRA and VYM share little of their money.
28 positions in common, counted across the 175 positions we hold weights for in NFRA and 603 in VYM, against full books of 216 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 539 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for NFRA (89.3% of the fund), and 35 for NFRA that do not appear in VYM (13.4%).
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 VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VZVerizon Communications Inc Vz | 2.64% | 0.74% | 1.90% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc - Common | 2.41% | 0.76% | 1.65% |
| UNPUnion Pacific Corp | 2.35% | 0.67% | 1.68% |
| TAt&t Inc Com | 2.27% | 0.58% | 1.69% |
| SOSouthern Co. | 1.40% | 0.45% | 0.95% |
| DUKDuke Energy Corp | 1.30% | 0.41% | 0.89% |
| WMBWilliams Cos. Inc. | 1.21% | 0.38% | 0.83% |
| CMCSAComcast Corp-class A Cmcsa | 1.22% | 0.36% | 0.86% |
| TMUST-Mobile Usa Inc Esrw Usd Npv Ref Sm#585558 | 1.20% | 0.34% | 0.86% |
| WMWaste Mgmt | 1.14% | 0.34% | 0.80% |
26.4% of NFRA is already inside VYM.
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 VYM?
NFRA has an expense ratio of 0.47% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $43 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NFRA or VYM?
Over the past year NFRA returned +12.77% vs +19.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), NFRA annualized +5.39% vs +9.84% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NFRA or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.4% annualized versus 12.6% for NFRA. Worst drawdown: NFRA -32.9% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both NFRA and VYM?
NFRA and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 VYM?
26.4% of NFRA's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 7.9% of VYM's is in holdings NFRA also owns. They hold 28 positions in common, counted across the 175 positions we hold weights for in NFRA and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, NFRA or VYM?
NFRA yields 5.64% while VYM yields 2.22%, so NFRA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than NFRA?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 28.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.