NUSC vs VTI
Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, NUSC or VTI?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. NUSC is less concentrated, with 9.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | NUSC | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.31% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.3B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.91% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 406 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +9.89% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.50% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.71% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.06% | +12.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.3% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -41.5% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,799 | $17,908Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.3%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 13, 2016 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 14, 2016 to Sep 18, 2026 (9.8 years).
NUSC vs VTI 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 9.8 years both funds cover.
NUSC vs VTI Performance
Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) is an ETF from Nuveen and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NUSC returned +12.50% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, NUSC is up 9.89% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, NUSC compounded at +12.71% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +5.06% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.63% annualized vs +9.32%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NUSC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.3% compared with 16.0% 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 -41.5% for NUSC and -35.0% 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NUSC charges 0.31% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $31 vs $3 annually, a gap of $28 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NUSC currently yields 0.91% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
93.9% of NUSC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.3% of VTI's money is in holdings NUSC also owns.
Most of NUSC is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
370 positions in common, counted across the 400 positions we hold weights for in NUSC and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 406 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 961 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for NUSC (95.2% of the fund), and 18 for NUSC that do not appear in VTI (3.0%).
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 NUSC | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VTRSViatris Inc. | 1.05% | 0.03% | 1.02% |
| EWBCEast West Bancorp, Inc. | 1.02% | 0.02% | 1.00% |
| RNRRenaissancere Holdings Limited | 0.99% | 0.02% | 0.97% |
| HSTHost Hotels & Resorts Inc | 0.96% | 0.02% | 0.94% |
| AGNCAgnc Investment Corp. | 0.91% | 0.02% | 0.89% |
| SNXSynnex Technology International Co | 0.90% | 0.03% | 0.87% |
| CSGPCostar Group Inc. | 0.90% | 0.02% | 0.88% |
| PFGCPerformance Food Group Co | 0.90% | 0.02% | 0.88% |
| NXTNextpower Inc Class A Common Stock | 0.87% | 0.02% | 0.85% |
| RGLDRoyal Gold Inc | 0.85% | 0.02% | 0.83% |
93.9% of NUSC is already inside VTI.
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, NUSC or VTI?
NUSC has an expense ratio of 0.31% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $28 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NUSC or VTI?
Over the past year NUSC returned +12.50% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), NUSC annualized +9.32% vs +13.63% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NUSC or VTI?
NUSC has been the more volatile fund at 21.3% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: NUSC -41.5% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both NUSC and VTI?
NUSC and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 NUSC and VTI?
93.9% of NUSC's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.3% of VTI's is in holdings NUSC also owns. They hold 370 positions in common, counted across the 400 positions we hold weights for in NUSC and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, NUSC or VTI?
NUSC yields 0.91% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than NUSC?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. NUSC is less concentrated, with 9.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.