DRLL vs. NUSA

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

DRLL (Strive U.S. Energy ETF) and NUSA (Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DRLL is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Bloomberg US Energy Select Index, while NUSA is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the ICE BofA Enhanced Yield US Broad Bond (1-5 Y). Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DRLL returned 12.74%/yr vs 4.41%/yr for NUSA. Their -0.10 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. DRLL charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for NUSA.

Performance

DRLL vs. NUSA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL) and Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUSA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DRLL achieves a 36.69% return, which is significantly higher than NUSA's 0.48% return.

DRLL

• 1D: 0.80%
• 1M: 14.19%
• 6M: 21.14%
• YTD: 36.69%
• 1Y: 44.82%
• 3Y*: 12.74%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.77%

NUSA

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: -0.22%
• 6M: 0.31%
• YTD: 0.48%
• 1Y: 2.32%
• 3Y*: 4.41%
• 5Y*: 1.48%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 2.21%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	$463.62K	$500.96K	$563.89K
NUSA Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	$94.86K	$115.11K	$125.22K

DRLL vs. NUSA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	36.69%	7.74%	0.02%	-1.84%	15.52%
NUSA Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	0.48%	5.89%	3.52%	5.19%	-1.49%

Correlation

The correlation between DRLL and NUSA is -0.30, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.30
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	-0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 9, 2022	-0.10

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between DRLL and NUSA has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.10 to -0.30, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.

Return for Risk

DRLL vs. NUSA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

DRLL

DRLL Risk / Return Rank: 70
DRLL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
DRLL Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
DRLL Omega Ratio Rank: 72
DRLL Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
DRLL Martin Ratio Rank: 53

NUSA

NUSA Risk / Return Rank: 69
NUSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
NUSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
NUSA Omega Ratio Rank: 74
NUSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
NUSA Martin Ratio Rank: 61

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

DRLL vs. NUSA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL) and Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUSA). 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.

	DRLL	NUSA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	1.60	+0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	2.46	-0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.31	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.46	2.27	+0.19
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.27	7.31	-1.03

DRLL vs. NUSA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DRLL Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the NUSA Sharpe Ratio of 1.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DRLL and NUSA, 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

DRLL vs. NUSA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DRLL drawdown since its inception was -23.73%, which is greater than NUSA's maximum drawdown of -9.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DRLL and NUSA.

Drawdown Indicators

	DRLL	NUSA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.73%	-9.44%	-14.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.99%	-1.28%	-15.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.73%	-1.62%	-22.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-9.43%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.30%	-0.46%	-3.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.14%	-1.63%	-6.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.68%	0.40%	+6.28%

Volatility

DRLL vs. NUSA - Volatility Comparison

Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL) has a higher volatility of 6.71% compared to Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUSA) at 0.51%. This indicates that DRLL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NUSA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DRLL	NUSA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.71%	0.51%	+6.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.75%	1.48%	+17.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.03%	1.82%	+21.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.80%	2.81%	+20.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.80%	2.71%	+21.09%

DRLL vs. NUSA - Expense Ratio Comparison

DRLL has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is higher than NUSA's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

DRLL vs. NUSA - Dividend Comparison

DRLL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.22%, less than NUSA's 3.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DRLL Strive U.S. Energy ETF	2.22%	2.99%	3.00%	3.01%	1.18%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NUSA Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	3.57%	3.83%	3.93%	3.54%	2.44%	2.16%	2.51%	2.85%	3.22%	2.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DRLL and NUSA in my portfolio?

DRLL and NUSA have a correlation of -0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DRLL or NUSA?

DRLL has higher volatility (6.71%) compared to NUSA (0.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DRLL dropped -23.73% vs NUSA's -9.44%.

Which ETF is better, DRLL or NUSA?

On 3-year performance, DRLL leads with 12.74% vs 4.41% for NUSA. On fees, NUSA is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, NUSA has been the lower-risk option at 0.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DRLL or NUSA?

Over the 3-year period, DRLL has performed better with a 12.74% return vs 4.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DRLL or NUSA?

NUSA is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.41% for DRLL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DRLL or NUSA?

NUSA has the higher dividend yield at 3.57%, compared with 2.22% for DRLL.

What is the main difference between DRLL and NUSA?

DRLL is categorized as Energy Equities, while NUSA is Short-Term Bond. DRLL tracks Bloomberg US Energy Select Index, while NUSA tracks ICE BofA Enhanced Yield US Broad Bond (1-5 Y). They also come from different issuers: Strive and Nuveen. Their fees differ too: 0.41% for DRLL and 0.15% for NUSA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DRLL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 1.60), 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.