NWLG vs VYM
Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth ESG ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, NWLG or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.4%.
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 | NWLG | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $9M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 42 | 613 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.3% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.9% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $11,691 | $16,207Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 60.4% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 4, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 161 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. NWLG has data through Apr 6, 2026 and VYM through Sep 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 5, 2021 to Apr 6, 2026 (4.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NWLG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.3% compared with 14.1% 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 -39.9% for NWLG and -15.8% 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 0.54. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NWLG charges 0.65% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $4 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NWLG currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
10.3% of NWLG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.3% of VYM's money is in holdings NWLG also owns.
NWLG and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 212 days apart, NWLG as of Dec 31, 2025 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
5 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in NWLG and 557 in VYM, against full books of 42 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 523 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for NWLG (87.8% of the fund), and 33 for NWLG that do not appear in VYM (87.3%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NWLG 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, NWLG or VYM?
NWLG has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, NWLG or VYM?
NWLG has been the more volatile fund at 21.3% annualized versus 14.1% for VYM. Worst drawdown: NWLG -39.9% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both NWLG and VYM?
NWLG and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.54, 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 NWLG and VYM?
10.3% of NWLG's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 9.3% of VYM's is in holdings NWLG also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 39 positions we hold weights for in NWLG and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, NWLG or VYM?
NWLG yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than NWLG?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.