EASG vs. NULC

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

EASG (Xtrackers MSCI EAFE ESG Leaders Equity ETF) and NULC (Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EASG is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE ESG Leaders 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, EASG returned 7.51%/yr vs 10.34%/yr for NULC. Their 0.78 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. EASG charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for NULC.

Performance

EASG vs. NULC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Xtrackers MSCI EAFE ESG Leaders Equity ETF (EASG) 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, EASG achieves a 11.08% return, which is significantly lower than NULC's 13.27% return.

EASG

• 1D: -0.71%
• 1M: 0.27%
• 6M: 5.95%
• YTD: 11.08%
• 1Y: 23.37%
• 3Y*: 13.72%
• 5Y*: 7.51%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.53%

NULC

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: 0.88%
• 6M: 10.59%
• YTD: 13.27%
• 1Y: 21.07%
• 3Y*: 18.40%
• 5Y*: 10.34%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.66%

*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)
EASG Xtrackers MSCI EAFE ESG Leaders Equity ETF	$107.99K	$79.19K	$91.05K
NULC Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF	$334.24K	$510.26K	$272.99K

EASG vs. NULC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
EASG Xtrackers MSCI EAFE ESG Leaders Equity ETF	11.08%	25.19%	2.26%	18.80%	-16.94%	11.36%	10.73%	13.82%
NULC Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF	13.27%	16.29%	18.71%	22.54%	-20.18%	25.69%	22.51%	6.17%

Correlation

The correlation between EASG and NULC is 0.74, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 2019	0.78

The correlation between EASG and NULC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

EASG vs. NULC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EASG	NULC
Financial Services	24.7%	12.4%
Industrials	17.5%	9.0%
Technology	14.8%	40.7%
Healthcare	11.0%	9.9%
Consumer Cyclical	6.7%	7.5%
Consumer Defensive	6.4%	6.3%
Basic Materials	5.7%	1.5%
Communication Services	5.2%	6.7%
Utilities	3.7%	2.0%
Energy	2.7%	2.1%
Real Estate	1.7%	2.0%

Return for Risk

EASG vs. NULC — Risk / Return Rank

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

EASG

EASG Risk / Return Rank: 59
EASG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
EASG Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
EASG Omega Ratio Rank: 59
EASG Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
EASG Martin Ratio Rank: 61

NULC

NULC Risk / Return Rank: 62
NULC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
NULC Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
NULC Omega Ratio Rank: 57
NULC Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
NULC Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

EASG vs. NULC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Xtrackers MSCI EAFE ESG Leaders Equity ETF (EASG) 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.

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.

	EASG	NULC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	1.44	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	2.04	+0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.25	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.97	2.19	-0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.39	8.73	-1.34

EASG vs. NULC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EASG Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is comparable to the NULC Sharpe Ratio of 1.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EASG 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.

Drawdowns

EASG vs. NULC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EASG drawdown since its inception was -32.06%, smaller than the maximum NULC drawdown of -34.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EASG and NULC.

Drawdown Indicators

	EASG	NULC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.06%	-34.86%	+2.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.74%	-8.91%	-2.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.14%	-18.53%	+2.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.42%	-27.90%	-3.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.79%	-1.37%	+0.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.09%	-6.35%	+0.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.12%	2.24%	+0.88%

Volatility

EASG vs. NULC - Volatility Comparison

Xtrackers MSCI EAFE ESG Leaders Equity ETF (EASG) has a higher volatility of 4.39% compared to Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC) at 3.53%. This indicates that EASG'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

	EASG	NULC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.39%	3.53%	+0.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.55%	10.61%	+2.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.16%	13.57%	+2.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.78%	16.97%	-0.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.32%	19.88%	-1.56%

EASG vs. NULC - Expense Ratio Comparison

EASG has a 0.14% 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

EASG vs. NULC - Dividend Comparison

EASG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.83%, less than NULC's 8.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
EASG Xtrackers MSCI EAFE ESG Leaders Equity ETF	3.83%	4.18%	2.93%	2.51%	2.47%	2.69%	1.70%	2.94%	0.85%
NULC Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF	8.98%	10.17%	1.86%	1.32%	2.37%	6.14%	4.07%	0.77%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EASG and NULC in my portfolio?

EASG and NULC have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EASG or NULC?

EASG has higher volatility (4.39%) compared to NULC (3.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EASG dropped -32.06% vs NULC's -34.86%.

Which ETF is better, EASG or NULC?

On 5-year performance, NULC leads with 10.34% vs 7.51% for EASG. On fees, EASG is cheaper at 0.14% per year. On volatility, NULC has been the lower-risk option at 3.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EASG or NULC?

Over the 5-year period, NULC has performed better with a 10.34% return vs 7.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EASG or NULC?

EASG is cheaper with a 0.14% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for NULC.

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

NULC has the higher dividend yield at 8.98%, compared with 3.83% for EASG.

What is the main difference between EASG and NULC?

EASG is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while NULC is Large Cap Growth Equities. EASG tracks MSCI EAFE ESG Leaders Index, while NULC tracks MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap. They also come from different issuers: Deutsche Bank and Nuveen. Their fees differ too: 0.14% for EASG and 0.20% for NULC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NULC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs 1.43), 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.