EAGG vs. NUBD

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

EAGG (iShares ESG Aware US Aggregate Bond ETF) and NUBD (Nuveen ESG U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF) are both Intermediate Core Bond funds - EAGG tracks the Bloomberg MSCI U.S. Aggregate ESG Focus Index while NUBD tracks the Bloomberg MSCI U.S. Aggregate ESG Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, EAGG returned 0.12%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for NUBD. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EAGG charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for NUBD.

Performance

EAGG vs. NUBD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Aware US Aggregate Bond ETF (EAGG) and Nuveen ESG U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUBD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EAGG achieves a 0.45% return, which is significantly higher than NUBD's 0.38% return.

EAGG

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: 0.45%
• 6M: 0.47%
• 1Y: 5.27%
• 3Y*: 3.90%
• 5Y*: 0.12%
• 10Y*: —

NUBD

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.16%
• YTD: 0.38%
• 6M: 0.45%
• 1Y: 5.11%
• 3Y*: 3.83%
• 5Y*: 0.04%
• 10Y*: —

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

EAGG vs. NUBD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
EAGG iShares ESG Aware US Aggregate Bond ETF	0.45%	7.18%	1.12%	5.58%	-13.63%	-1.30%	7.40%	8.68%	2.35%
NUBD Nuveen ESG U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	0.38%	6.75%	1.31%	5.42%	-12.90%	-2.19%	7.17%	8.22%	2.29%

Correlation

The correlation between EAGG and NUBD is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 24, 2018	0.92

The correlation between EAGG and NUBD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EAGG vs. NUBD — Risk / Return Rank

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

EAGG

EAGG Risk / Return Rank: 38
EAGG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
EAGG Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
EAGG Omega Ratio Rank: 37
EAGG Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
EAGG Martin Ratio Rank: 36

NUBD

NUBD Risk / Return Rank: 36
NUBD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
NUBD Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
NUBD Omega Ratio Rank: 36
NUBD Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
NUBD Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

EAGG vs. NUBD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware US Aggregate Bond ETF (EAGG) and Nuveen ESG U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUBD). 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.

	EAGG	NUBD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	1.36	+0.04
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	1.99	+0.11
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.24	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.82	1.75	+0.07
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.66	5.24	+0.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EAGG vs. NUBD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EAGG Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is comparable to the NUBD Sharpe Ratio of 1.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EAGG and NUBD, 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

	EAGG	NUBD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.40	1.36	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.02	0.01	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.29	+0.09

Drawdowns

EAGG vs. NUBD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EAGG drawdown since its inception was -18.74%, roughly equal to the maximum NUBD drawdown of -19.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EAGG and NUBD.

Drawdown Indicators

	EAGG	NUBD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.74%	-19.45%	+0.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.75%	-2.76%	+0.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.20%	-5.94%	-0.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.98%	-17.90%	-0.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.61%	-3.75%	+1.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.05%	-6.05%	0.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.88%	0.92%	-0.04%

Volatility

EAGG vs. NUBD - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG Aware US Aggregate Bond ETF (EAGG) and Nuveen ESG U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUBD) have volatilities of 1.29% and 1.26%, 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

	EAGG	NUBD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.29%	1.26%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.70%	2.64%	+0.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.79%	3.80%	-0.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.03%	5.99%	+0.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.50%	5.12%	+0.38%

EAGG vs. NUBD - Expense Ratio Comparison

EAGG has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than NUBD's 0.15% 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

EAGG vs. NUBD - Dividend Comparison

EAGG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.00%, which matches NUBD's 3.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EAGG iShares ESG Aware US Aggregate Bond ETF	4.00%	3.92%	3.93%	3.24%	2.07%	1.09%	1.82%	3.17%	0.61%	0.00%
NUBD Nuveen ESG U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	3.98%	3.90%	3.51%	2.99%	2.83%	2.05%	2.21%	2.66%	3.08%	0.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EAGG and NUBD in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, EAGG and NUBD move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, EAGG or NUBD?

EAGG has higher volatility (1.29%) compared to NUBD (1.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EAGG dropped -18.74% vs NUBD's -19.45%.

Which ETF is better, EAGG or NUBD?

On 5-year performance, EAGG leads with 0.12% vs 0.04% for NUBD. On fees, EAGG is cheaper at 0.10% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EAGG or NUBD?

Over the 5-year period, EAGG has performed better with a 0.12% return vs 0.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EAGG or NUBD?

EAGG is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for NUBD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EAGG or NUBD?

EAGG has the higher dividend yield at 4.00%, compared with 3.98% for NUBD.

What is the main difference between EAGG and NUBD?

EAGG tracks Bloomberg MSCI U.S. Aggregate ESG Focus Index, while NUBD tracks Bloomberg MSCI U.S. Aggregate ESG Select Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Nuveen. Their fees differ too: 0.10% for EAGG and 0.15% for NUBD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EAGG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.40 vs 1.36), 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.