NULG vs VYM
Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, NULG or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. NULG led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 45.5%.
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 | NULG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.26% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $2.9B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.10% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 71 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +12.76% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.73% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.56%Best | +17.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.20% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.8% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -36.2% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,003 | $17,750Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 45.5% | 25.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 13, 2016 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 14, 2016 to Sep 10, 2026 (9.7 years).
NULG vs VYM 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 9.7 years both funds cover.
NULG vs VYM Performance
Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (NULG) is an ETF from Nuveen and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NULG returned +11.73% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, NULG is up 12.76% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, NULG compounded at +20.56% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +11.20% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, NULG has the edge at +18.11% annualized vs +9.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NULG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% compared with 14.4% for VYM. 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 -36.2% for NULG and -35.7% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NULG charges 0.26% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $26 vs $4 annually, a gap of $22 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NULG currently yields 0.10% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
13.9% of NULG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 11.1% of VYM's money is in holdings NULG also owns.
NULG and VYM share little of their money.
8 positions in common, counted across the 67 positions we hold weights for in NULG and 603 in VYM, against full books of 71 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 560 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for NULG (86.4% of the fund), and 58 for NULG that do not appear in VYM (83.9%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in NULG | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 6.49% | 7.29% | 0.80% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 2.26% | 2.01% | 0.25% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 1.23% | 0.80% | 0.43% |
| CMICummins Inc. | 1.34% | 0.41% | 0.93% |
| EBAYEbay Inc. | 1.17% | 0.21% | 0.96% |
| ROKRockwell Automation Inc. | 0.49% | 0.23% | 0.26% |
| ELEstee Lauder Cos., Inc. | 0.61% | 0.08% | 0.53% |
| VRSNVerisign Inc. | 0.33% | 0.09% | 0.24% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NULG and VYM 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, NULG or VYM?
NULG has an expense ratio of 0.26% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $22 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NULG or VYM?
Over the past year NULG returned +11.73% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), NULG annualized +18.11% vs +9.82% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NULG or VYM?
NULG has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 14.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: NULG -36.2% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both NULG and VYM?
NULG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 NULG and VYM?
13.9% of NULG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 11.1% of VYM's is in holdings NULG also owns. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 67 positions we hold weights for in NULG and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, NULG or VYM?
NULG yields 0.10% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than NULG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. NULG led over 3Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y and 5Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 25.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 45.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.