DMXF vs. NULC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DMXF (iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF) and NULC (Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DMXF is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Choice ESG Screened Index, while NULC is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DMXF returned 6.83%/yr vs 11.41%/yr for NULC. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DMXF charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for NULC.

Performance

DMXF vs. NULC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF (DMXF) and Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DMXF achieves a 11.52% return, which is significantly lower than NULC's 14.11% return.

DMXF

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: 5.69%
• YTD: 11.52%
• 6M: 13.01%
• 1Y: 19.38%
• 3Y*: 14.81%
• 5Y*: 6.83%
• 10Y*: —

NULC

• 1D: -0.57%
• 1M: 5.76%
• YTD: 14.11%
• 6M: 14.35%
• 1Y: 26.94%
• 3Y*: 21.23%
• 5Y*: 11.41%
• 10Y*: —

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

DMXF vs. NULC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
DMXF iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF	11.52%	22.07%	3.99%	20.52%	-19.25%	10.90%	23.13%
NULC Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF	14.11%	16.29%	18.71%	22.54%	-20.18%	25.69%	24.14%

Correlation

The correlation between DMXF and NULC 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	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2020	0.75

The correlation between DMXF and NULC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

DMXF vs. NULC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DMXF	NULC
Financial Services	31.6%	13.4%
Technology	18.3%	36.2%
Industrials	16.3%	8.4%
Healthcare	10.6%	8.7%
Communication Services	7.0%	10.9%
Basic Materials	4.8%	1.7%
Consumer Cyclical	4.6%	8.0%
Real Estate	3.9%	2.3%
Consumer Defensive	2.3%	6.0%
Utilities	0.6%	2.0%
Energy	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

DMXF vs. NULC — Risk / Return Rank

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

DMXF

DMXF Risk / Return Rank: 34
DMXF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
DMXF Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
DMXF Omega Ratio Rank: 32
DMXF Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
DMXF Martin Ratio Rank: 39

NULC

NULC Risk / Return Rank: 64
NULC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
NULC Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
NULC Omega Ratio Rank: 61
NULC Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
NULC Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

DMXF vs. NULC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF (DMXF) and Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC). 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.

	DMXF	NULC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.21	2.12	-0.91
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.80	2.92	-1.12
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.37	-0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.64	3.04	-1.39
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.16	13.07	-6.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DMXF vs. NULC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DMXF Sharpe Ratio is 1.21, which is lower than the NULC Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DMXF and NULC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DMXF	NULC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.21	2.12	-0.91
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39	0.68	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.80	-0.15

Drawdowns

DMXF vs. NULC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DMXF drawdown since its inception was -34.52%, roughly equal to the maximum NULC drawdown of -34.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DMXF and NULC.

Drawdown Indicators

	DMXF	NULC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.52%	-34.86%	+0.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.84%	-8.91%	-2.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.54%	-18.53%	+1.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.52%	-27.90%	-6.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.56%	-0.57%	+0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.67%	-6.30%	-1.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.15%	2.07%	+1.08%

Volatility

DMXF vs. NULC - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF (DMXF) has a higher volatility of 5.13% compared to Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC) at 3.29%. This indicates that DMXF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NULC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DMXF	NULC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.13%	3.29%	+1.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.29%	9.90%	+3.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.07%	12.80%	+3.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.68%	16.85%	+0.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.25%	19.68%	-2.43%

DMXF vs. NULC - Expense Ratio Comparison

DMXF has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than NULC's 0.20% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

DMXF vs. NULC - Dividend Comparison

DMXF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.35%, less than NULC's 8.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
DMXF iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE ETF	4.35%	4.85%	2.92%	2.29%	2.37%	1.91%	0.31%	0.00%
NULC Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF	8.91%	10.17%	1.86%	1.32%	2.37%	6.14%	4.07%	0.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DMXF and NULC in my portfolio?

DMXF and NULC 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, DMXF or NULC?

DMXF has higher volatility (5.13%) compared to NULC (3.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DMXF dropped -34.52% vs NULC's -34.86%.

Which ETF is better, DMXF or NULC?

On 5-year performance, NULC leads with 11.41% vs 6.83% for DMXF. On fees, DMXF is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, NULC has been the lower-risk option at 3.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DMXF or NULC?

Over the 5-year period, NULC has performed better with a 11.41% return vs 6.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DMXF or NULC?

DMXF is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for NULC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DMXF or NULC?

NULC has the higher dividend yield at 8.91%, compared with 4.35% for DMXF.

What is the main difference between DMXF and NULC?

DMXF is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while NULC is Large Cap Growth Equities. DMXF tracks MSCI EAFE Choice ESG Screened Index, while NULC tracks MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Nuveen. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for DMXF and 0.20% for NULC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NULC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 1.21), 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.