NUGO vs VXUS
Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, NUGO or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. NUGO led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y.
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 | NUGO | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.4B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 46 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | +7.92% | +14.48%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.14% | +22.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.64%Best | +20.00% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.34%Best | +8.91% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.5% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -38.0% | -28.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,893Best | $15,323 |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 27, 2021 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 28, 2021 to Sep 11, 2026 (5 years).
NUGO 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 5 years both funds cover.
NUGO vs VXUS Performance
Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF (NUGO) is an ETF from Nuveen and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NUGO returned +10.14% while VXUS returned +22.28%. Year to date, NUGO is up 7.92% versus a gain of 14.48% for VXUS.
Over three years, NUGO compounded at +22.64% per year against +20.00% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +12.34% and +8.91% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NUGO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.5% compared with 15.1% 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 -38.0% for NUGO and -28.9% 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 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NUGO charges 0.50% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $5 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NUGO currently yields 0.00% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 45 holdings in NUGO and 8,091 in VXUS, totalling 100.0% and 87.7% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 45 positions we hold weights for in NUGO and 8,091 in VXUS, against full books of 46 and 8,747.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 45 and 8,091 positions we hold weights for.
VXUS holds 44 positions NUGO does not, 2.4% of the fund.
Largest: SHEL 0.48%, IBDRY 0.37%, ASX 0.16%, BALN 3.4 04/15/30 14 0.16%, PRYMY 0.11%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NUGO and VXUS 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, NUGO or VXUS?
NUGO has an expense ratio of 0.50% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NUGO or VXUS?
Over the past year NUGO returned +10.14% vs +22.28% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NUGO or VXUS?
NUGO has been the more volatile fund at 19.5% annualized versus 15.1% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: NUGO -38.0% vs VXUS -28.9%.
Should I hold both NUGO and VXUS?
NUGO and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, NUGO or VXUS?
NUGO yields 0.00% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so VXUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than NUGO?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. NUGO led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VXUS over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.