NQVAX vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

NQVAX (Nuveen Multi-Cap Value Fund Class A) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both funds - NQVAX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Nuveen, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. NQVAX is actively managed, while VTI is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, NQVAX returned 13.06%/yr vs 15.31%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NQVAX charges 1.15%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

NQVAX vs. VTI - 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 Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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 VTI's 10.35% return. Over the past 10 years, NQVAX has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 13.06%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 15.31% 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%

VTI

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 10.35%
• 6M: 9.59%
• 1Y: 27.18%
• 3Y*: 21.19%
• 5Y*: 12.36%
• 10Y*: 15.31%

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

NQVAX vs. VTI - 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%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	10.35%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between NQVAX and VTI is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 6, 2002	0.90

The correlation between NQVAX and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NQVAX vs. VTI — 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

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 68
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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. VTI - 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 Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	2.14	+0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.41	2.90	+0.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.38	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.41	3.06	+1.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.68	13.68	+3.00

NQVAX vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NQVAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NQVAX and VTI, 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. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NQVAX drawdown since its inception was -67.90%, which is greater than VTI's maximum drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NQVAX and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	NQVAX	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.90%	-55.45%	-12.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.41%	-8.92%	+1.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.01%	-19.30%	+1.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.01%	-25.36%	+7.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.29%	-35.00%	-7.29%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.47%	-1.48%	+1.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.79%	-8.01%	-3.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	1.99%	-0.04%

Volatility

NQVAX vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen Multi-Cap Value Fund Class A (NQVAX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) have volatilities of 4.53% and 4.74%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NQVAX	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.53%	4.74%	-0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.29%	9.96%	+0.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.33%	12.76%	+0.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.28%	17.49%	-1.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.11%	18.35%	+0.76%

NQVAX vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

NQVAX has a 1.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

NQVAX vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

NQVAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.45%, more than VTI's 1.02% 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%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.02%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NQVAX and VTI in my portfolio?

NQVAX and VTI have a correlation of 0.81, 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 VTI?

VTI has higher volatility (4.74%) compared to NQVAX (4.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NQVAX dropped -67.90% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NQVAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 2.14), 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.