ESGE vs. NUEM

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ESGE (iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF) and NUEM (Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds - ESGE tracks the MSCI EM Extended ESG Focus Index while NUEM tracks the MSCI TIAA ESG Emerging Markets. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ESGE returned 6.26%/yr vs 5.15%/yr for NUEM. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ESGE charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for NUEM.

Performance

ESGE vs. NUEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF (ESGE) and Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF (NUEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESGE achieves a 22.27% return, which is significantly higher than NUEM's 17.79% return.

ESGE

• 1D: -5.62%
• 1M: 2.83%
• YTD: 22.27%
• 6M: 23.13%
• 1Y: 44.92%
• 3Y*: 22.70%
• 5Y*: 6.26%
• 10Y*: —

NUEM

• 1D: -5.04%
• 1M: 2.42%
• YTD: 17.79%
• 6M: 17.76%
• 1Y: 34.99%
• 3Y*: 18.90%
• 5Y*: 5.15%
• 10Y*: —

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

ESGE vs. NUEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ESGE iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF	22.27%	35.86%	6.63%	9.51%	-22.41%	-2.87%	18.60%	20.37%	-15.24%	17.82%
NUEM Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF	17.79%	27.12%	9.73%	8.57%	-19.74%	-1.08%	24.09%	16.67%	-17.26%	18.50%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGE and NUEM is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 13, 2017	0.91

The correlation between ESGE and NUEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

ESGE vs. NUEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESGE	NUEM
Technology	43.9%	36.5%
Financial Services	22.0%	16.8%
Consumer Cyclical	7.5%	11.2%
Communication Services	7.4%	7.6%
Industrials	5.7%	11.1%
Basic Materials	5.0%	7.9%
Healthcare	2.2%	2.6%
Consumer Defensive	2.1%	1.5%
Energy	1.9%	2.6%
Utilities	1.3%	1.7%
Real Estate	1.0%	0.6%

Return for Risk

ESGE vs. NUEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESGE

ESGE Risk / Return Rank: 65
ESGE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
ESGE Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
ESGE Omega Ratio Rank: 68
ESGE Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
ESGE Martin Ratio Rank: 70

NUEM

NUEM Risk / Return Rank: 58
NUEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
NUEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
NUEM Omega Ratio Rank: 57
NUEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
NUEM Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

ESGE vs. NUEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF (ESGE) and Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF (NUEM). 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.

	ESGE	NUEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	1.70	+0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.56	2.32	+0.23
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.33	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.25	3.04	+0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.10	10.30	+1.80

ESGE vs. NUEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGE Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is comparable to the NUEM Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGE and NUEM, 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

ESGE vs. NUEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGE drawdown since its inception was -41.07%, roughly equal to the maximum NUEM drawdown of -39.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGE and NUEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESGE	NUEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.07%	-39.48%	-1.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.90%	-11.56%	-2.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.71%	-17.58%	+0.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.18%	-38.10%	-1.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.62%	-5.04%	-0.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.41%	-14.95%	+0.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.72%	3.41%	+0.31%

Volatility

ESGE vs. NUEM - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF (ESGE) has a higher volatility of 12.44% compared to Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF (NUEM) at 10.41%. This indicates that ESGE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NUEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESGE	NUEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.44%	10.41%	+2.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.66%	18.44%	+2.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.76%	20.68%	+2.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.71%	20.15%	-0.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.19%	20.36%	-0.17%

ESGE vs. NUEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESGE has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than NUEM's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESGE vs. NUEM - Dividend Comparison

ESGE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.12%, less than NUEM's 3.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
ESGE iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF	2.12%	2.50%	2.41%	2.64%	2.68%	2.66%	1.31%	2.59%	2.19%	1.86%	0.27%
NUEM Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF	3.04%	3.58%	1.95%	2.37%	1.90%	2.45%	1.26%	1.98%	2.05%	0.62%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESGE and NUEM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, ESGE and NUEM 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, ESGE or NUEM?

ESGE has higher volatility (12.44%) compared to NUEM (10.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGE dropped -41.07% vs NUEM's -39.48%.

Which ETF is better, ESGE or NUEM?

On 5-year performance, ESGE leads with 6.26% vs 5.15% for NUEM. On fees, ESGE is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, NUEM has been the lower-risk option at 10.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESGE or NUEM?

Over the 5-year period, ESGE has performed better with a 6.26% return vs 5.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESGE or NUEM?

ESGE is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for NUEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ESGE or NUEM?

NUEM has the higher dividend yield at 3.04%, compared with 2.12% for ESGE.

What is the main difference between ESGE and NUEM?

ESGE tracks MSCI EM Extended ESG Focus Index, while NUEM tracks MSCI TIAA ESG Emerging Markets. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Nuveen. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for ESGE and 0.35% for NUEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESGE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.70), 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.