NSI vs VXUS
National Security Emerging Markets Index ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, NSI or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. NSI led over 1Y, VXUS over 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 | NSI | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $42M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.23% | 2.59% |
| Holdings | 105 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +13.28% | +16.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +30.14%Best | +27.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +9.09% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.8% | 10.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -16.6% | -13.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.7 years | $16,731 | $17,024Best |
| Fund Family | National Security Index | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 6, 2023 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 7, 2023 to Sep 4, 2026 (2.7 years).
NSI 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 2.7 years both funds cover.
NSI vs VXUS Performance
National Security Emerging Markets Index ETF (NSI) is an ETF from National Security Index and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NSI returned +30.14% while VXUS returned +27.58%. Year to date, NSI is up 13.28% versus a gain of 16.15% for VXUS.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NSI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.8% compared with 10.9% for VXUS. 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 -16.6% for NSI and -13.6% 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 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NSI charges 0.75% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $5 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NSI currently yields 1.23% against 2.59% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 37.0% of NSI'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.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, NSI as of Aug 18, 2026 and VXUS as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
40 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in NSI and 8,094 in VXUS, against full books of 105 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in NSI | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 009150:KRSamsung Electro-Mechanics Co. Ltd., Preference Shares | 7.90% | 0.18% | 7.72% |
| ASX:TWAse Technology Holding Co., Ltd. American Depositary Shares (Each Representing Two Common Shares) | 4.04% | 0.16% | 3.88% |
| 2317:TWHon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd | 3.14% | 0.22% | 2.92% |
| PDD:IEPdd Holdings Inc | 2.65% | 0.13% | 2.52% |
| 2303:TWUnited Microelectronics Corp. Sponsored Adr | 2.21% | 0.13% | 2.08% |
| REL:LNReliance Inds-Spons GDR 144A | 2.21% | 0.12% | 2.09% |
| KB:KRKb Financial Group Inc. Sponsored Adr (1 Ads : 1 Ordinary) | 1.33% | 0.08% | 1.25% |
| YMM:SHFull Truck A-Adr | 1.28% | 0.01% | 1.27% |
| CIB:COGrupo Cibest Sa Adr | 0.87% | 0.01% | 0.86% |
| 034220:KRLg Display Co., Ltd. Sponsored Adr (1 Ads : 0.5 Ordinary) | 0.85% | 0.01% | 0.84% |
37.0% of NSI 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, NSI or VXUS?
NSI has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NSI or VXUS?
Over the past year NSI returned +30.14% vs +27.58% for VXUS, so NSI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NSI or VXUS?
NSI has been the more volatile fund at 12.8% annualized versus 10.9% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: NSI -16.6% vs VXUS -13.6%.
Should I hold both NSI and VXUS?
NSI and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, 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 NSI and VXUS?
At least 37.0% of NSI's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 40 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in NSI and 8,094 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, NSI or VXUS?
NSI yields 1.23% while VXUS yields 2.59%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than NSI?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. NSI led over 1Y, VXUS over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.