NUEM vs VXUS
Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, NUEM or VXUS?
Each has led over a different period.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. NUEM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 5Y.
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 | NUEM | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.36% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $423M | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.14% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 181 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +20.45%Best | +14.49% |
| 1Y Return | +27.58%Best | +21.52% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.51%Best | +20.55% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.96% | +9.57%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.3% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.5%Best | -39.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,666 | $15,793Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 6, 2017 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 7, 2017 to Sep 21, 2026 (9.3 years).
NUEM 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 9.3 years both funds cover.
NUEM vs VXUS Performance
Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF (NUEM) is an ETF from Nuveen and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NUEM returned +27.58% while VXUS returned +21.52%. Year to date, NUEM is up 20.45% versus a gain of 14.49% for VXUS.
Over three years, NUEM compounded at +21.51% per year against +20.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +7.96% and +9.57% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, NUEM has the edge at +8.27% annualized vs +7.47%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NUEM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% compared with 15.4% 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 -39.5% for NUEM 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NUEM charges 0.36% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $36 vs $5 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NUEM currently yields 3.14% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 63.1% of NUEM's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 88.8% 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.
132 positions in common, counted across the 177 positions we hold weights for in NUEM and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 181 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in NUEM | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000660:KRSk Hynix Inc Common Stock KRW 5000 | 6.66% | 1.41% | 5.25% |
| 2308:TWDelta Electronics Inc | 2.08% | 0.21% | 1.87% |
| 601939:SHChina Construction Bank Corp. | 2.07% | 0.01% | 2.06% |
| 402340:KRSk Square Co., Ltd. | 1.76% | 0.14% | 1.62% |
| 2882:TWCathay Financial Holding Co Ltd | 1.63% | 0.07% | 1.56% |
| 3017:TWAsia Vital Components Co Ltd | 1.61% | 0.05% | 1.56% |
| 006400:KRSamsung Sdi Co Ltd | 1.58% | 0.04% | 1.54% |
| 992:HKLenovo Group Ltd | 1.48% | 0.05% | 1.43% |
| AXISBANK:MBAxis Bank Ltd | 1.43% | 0.07% | 1.36% |
| 2059:TWKing Slide Works Co Ltd | 1.45% | 0.03% | 1.42% |
63.1% of NUEM 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, NUEM or VXUS?
NUEM has an expense ratio of 0.36% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NUEM or VXUS?
Over the past year NUEM returned +27.58% vs +21.52% for VXUS, so NUEM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), NUEM annualized +8.27% vs +7.47% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NUEM or VXUS?
NUEM has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 15.4% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: NUEM -39.5% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both NUEM and VXUS?
NUEM and VXUS 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 NUEM and VXUS?
At least 63.1% of NUEM's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 132 positions in common, counted across the 177 positions we hold weights for in NUEM and 8,082 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, NUEM or VXUS?
NUEM yields 3.14% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so NUEM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than NUEM?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. NUEM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window, VXUS over 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.