NIXT vs VTI

NIXT vs VTI

Which is better, NIXT or VTI?

Small Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.

VTI has a lower expense ratio. NIXT led over 1Y and the full window.

Lower Fees: VTIHigher Returns: NIXT

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

MetricNIXTVTI
Expense Ratio0.19%0.03%Best
AUM$43M$666.9B
Dividend Yield0.94%1.07%
Holdings2123,543
YTD Return+30.63%Best+13.59%
1Y Return+33.97%Best+20.00%
3Y Return (annualized)-+20.95%
5Y Return (annualized)-+11.81%
Volatility (annualized)15.9%12.9%Best
Max Drawdown-27.5%-19.3%Best
$10,000 over 2 years$14,706Best$14,441
Fund FamilyRAFI IndicesVanguard (US)
CategoryEquityEquity
StyleSmall Cap ValueLarge Cap Blend
InceptionSep 9, 2024May 24, 2001

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 10, 2024 to Sep 4, 2026 (2 years).

NIXT 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 2 years both funds cover.

NIXT vs VTI Performance

Research Affiliates Deletions ETF (NIXT) is an ETF from RAFI Indices and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NIXT returned +33.97% while VTI returned +20.00%. Year to date, NIXT is up 30.63% versus a gain of 13.59% for VTI.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

NIXT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 12.9% 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 -27.5% for NIXT and -19.3% 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

NIXT charges 0.19% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $19 vs $3 annually, a gap of $16 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NIXT currently yields 0.94% against 1.07% for VTI.

Holdings Overlap

NIXT already in VTI72.6%

At least 72.6% of NIXT's money is in holdings VTI also owns.

Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 92.3% 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 NIXT is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.

The two holdings books were reported 50 days apart, NIXT as of Aug 19, 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.

154 positions in common, counted across the 209 positions we hold weights for in NIXT and 2,788 in VTI, against full books of 212 and 3,543.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in NIXTWeight in VTIDifference
MRNAMrna Uw Equity1.66%0.03%1.63%
QLYSQualys Inc0.92%0.00%0.92%
NSITInsight Enterprises Inc0.86%0.00%0.86%
OKTAOkta Inc (okta)0.82%0.03%0.79%
MANManpowergroup Inc0.80%0.00%0.80%
CRLCharles River Laboratories International Inc0.74%0.02%0.72%
PAYCPaycom Software0.75%0.00%0.75%
AVTRAvantor Inc. Preferred0.74%0.00%0.74%
PBFPbf Energy Inc-class A0.73%0.00%0.73%
TENBTenable Holdings Inc Com0.72%0.00%0.72%

72.6% of NIXT 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.

NIXTVTI

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, NIXT or VTI?

NIXT has an expense ratio of 0.19% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, NIXT or VTI?

Over the past year NIXT returned +33.97% vs +20.00% for VTI, so NIXT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), NIXT annualized +21.27% vs +20.17% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, NIXT or VTI?

NIXT has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 12.9% for VTI. Worst drawdown: NIXT -27.5% vs VTI -19.3%.

Should I hold both NIXT and VTI?

NIXT and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 NIXT and VTI?

At least 72.6% of NIXT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 154 positions in common, counted across the 209 positions we hold weights for in NIXT and 2,788 in VTI.

Which pays a higher dividend, NIXT or VTI?

NIXT yields 0.94% while VTI yields 1.07%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VTI better than NIXT?

VTI has a lower expense ratio. NIXT led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.