NQVAX vs. VFIAX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

NQVAX (Nuveen Multi-Cap Value Fund Class A) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - NQVAX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Nuveen, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. NQVAX is actively managed, while VFIAX is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NQVAX returned 13.06%/yr vs 15.54%/yr for VFIAX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NQVAX charges 1.15%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VFIAX.

Performance

NQVAX vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Multi-Cap Value Fund Class A (NQVAX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NQVAX achieves a 14.40% return, which is significantly higher than VFIAX's 10.17% return. Over the past 10 years, NQVAX has underperformed VFIAX with an annualized return of 13.06%, while VFIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.54% annualized return.

NQVAX

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 0.94%
• YTD: 14.40%
• 6M: 13.65%
• 1Y: 32.49%
• 3Y*: 19.26%
• 5Y*: 13.88%
• 10Y*: 13.06%

VFIAX

• 1D: 1.09%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: 10.17%
• 6M: 9.67%
• 1Y: 27.15%
• 3Y*: 20.95%
• 5Y*: 14.06%
• 10Y*: 15.54%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

NQVAX vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NQVAX Nuveen Multi-Cap Value Fund Class A	14.40%	17.62%	18.95%	15.65%	-1.27%	28.22%	-0.51%	29.99%	-14.58%	18.37%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	10.17%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between NQVAX and VFIAX is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 6, 2002	0.88

The correlation between NQVAX and VFIAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (3 years) to 0.88 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NQVAX vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

NQVAX

NQVAX Risk / Return Rank: 82
NQVAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
NQVAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
NQVAX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
NQVAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
NQVAX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 66
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

NQVAX vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Multi-Cap Value Fund Class A (NQVAX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	NQVAX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	2.17	+0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.41	2.93	+0.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.39	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.41	3.03	+1.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.68	13.72	+2.96

NQVAX vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NQVAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is comparable to the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NQVAX and VFIAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

NQVAX vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NQVAX drawdown since its inception was -67.90%, which is greater than VFIAX's maximum drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NQVAX and VFIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NQVAX	VFIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.90%	-55.20%	-12.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.41%	-8.90%	+1.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.01%	-18.75%	+0.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.01%	-24.53%	+6.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.29%	-33.83%	-8.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.47%	-1.36%	+0.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.79%	-9.38%	-2.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	1.96%	-0.01%

Volatility

NQVAX vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen Multi-Cap Value Fund Class A (NQVAX) is 4.53%, while Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) has a volatility of 4.77%. This indicates that NQVAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NQVAX	VFIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.53%	4.77%	-0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.29%	9.91%	+0.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.33%	12.47%	+0.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.28%	17.00%	-0.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.11%	18.11%	+1.00%

NQVAX vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NQVAX has a 1.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIAX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

NQVAX vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

NQVAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.45%, more than VFIAX's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NQVAX Nuveen Multi-Cap Value Fund Class A	1.45%	1.66%	1.62%	1.06%	1.17%	1.23%	3.17%	1.10%	0.00%	1.76%	0.79%	0.78%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.03%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NQVAX and VFIAX in my portfolio?

NQVAX and VFIAX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NQVAX or VFIAX?

VFIAX has higher volatility (4.77%) compared to NQVAX (4.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NQVAX dropped -67.90% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NQVAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 2.17), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.