NSCS vs VTI
Nuveen Small Cap Select ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, NSCS or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90.
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 | NSCS | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.86% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $7M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.31% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 82 | 3,543 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.8% | 17.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -30.6% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $10,688 | $13,721Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 4, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 459 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. NSCS has data through Jun 23, 2025 and VTI through Sep 25, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 5, 2021 to Jun 23, 2025 (3.9 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NSCS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.8% compared with 17.1% 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 -30.6% for NSCS and -25.4% 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 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NSCS charges 0.86% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $86 vs $3 annually, a gap of $83 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NSCS currently yields 0.31% against 1.03% for VTI.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NSCS and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, NSCS or VTI?
NSCS has an expense ratio of 0.86% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $83 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, NSCS or VTI?
NSCS has been the more volatile fund at 20.8% annualized versus 17.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: NSCS -30.6% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both NSCS and VTI?
NSCS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, NSCS or VTI?
NSCS yields 0.31% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than NSCS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.