NUSC vs VYM
Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, NUSC or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. NUSC is less concentrated, with 10.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.8%.
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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.31% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.3B | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.92% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 400 | 610 |
| YTD Return | +12.19% | +15.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.85% | +19.62%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.23% | +19.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.75% | +11.48%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.2% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -41.5% | -35.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,021 | $17,218Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 10.0%Best | 25.8% |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | 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 Nov 13, 2026 (9.9 years).
NUSC 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 9.9 years both funds cover.
NUSC vs VYM Performance
Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) is an ETF from Nuveen and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NUSC returned +17.85% while VYM returned +19.62%. Year to date, NUSC is up 12.19% versus a gain of 15.95% for VYM.
Over three years, NUSC compounded at +14.23% per year against +19.64% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +3.75% and +11.48% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +9.91% annualized vs +9.39%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NUSC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.2% 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 -41.5% for NUSC 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NUSC charges 0.31% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $31 vs $4 annually, a gap of $27 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NUSC currently yields 0.92% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
27.7% of NUSC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.1% of VYM's money is in holdings NUSC also owns.
NUSC and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, NUSC as of Nov 2, 2026 and VYM as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
84 positions in common, counted across the 394 positions we hold weights for in NUSC and 602 in VYM, against full books of 400 and 610.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 493 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for NUSC (96.5% of the fund), and 301 for NUSC that do not appear in VYM (70.4%).
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 VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VTRSViatris Inc. | 1.18% | 0.08% | 1.10% |
| EWBCEast West Bancorp, Inc. | 1.08% | 0.07% | 1.01% |
| FDSFactset Research Systems Inc. | 0.94% | 0.05% | 0.89% |
| SCIService Corp International | 0.80% | 0.04% | 0.76% |
| FLSFlowserve Corp. | 0.79% | 0.04% | 0.75% |
| BPOPPopular Inc | 0.79% | 0.04% | 0.75% |
| UNMUnum Group | 0.70% | 0.06% | 0.64% |
| JXNJackson Financial Inc USD | 0.67% | 0.03% | 0.64% |
| UGIUgi Corp | 0.64% | 0.03% | 0.61% |
| VOYAVoya Financial Inc. | 0.63% | 0.04% | 0.59% |
27.7% of NUSC is already inside VYM.
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 VYM?
NUSC has an expense ratio of 0.31% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $27 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NUSC or VYM?
Over the past year NUSC returned +17.85% vs +19.62% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), NUSC annualized +9.39% vs +9.91% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NUSC or VYM?
NUSC has been the more volatile fund at 21.2% annualized versus 14.4% for VYM. Worst drawdown: NUSC -41.5% vs VYM -35.7%.
Should I hold both NUSC and VYM?
NUSC and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 VYM?
27.7% of NUSC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.1% of VYM's is in holdings NUSC also owns. They hold 84 positions in common, counted across the 394 positions we hold weights for in NUSC and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, NUSC or VYM?
NUSC yields 0.92% while VYM yields 2.23%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than NUSC?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. NUSC is less concentrated, with 10.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.