IQSI vs. NULC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IQSI (IQ Candriam ESG International Equity ETF) and NULC (Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IQSI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the IQ Candriam ESG International Equity 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, IQSI returned 7.66%/yr vs 11.41%/yr for NULC. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IQSI charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for NULC.

Performance

IQSI vs. NULC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ Candriam ESG International Equity ETF (IQSI) 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, IQSI achieves a 9.26% return, which is significantly lower than NULC's 14.11% return.

IQSI

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 4.63%
• YTD: 9.26%
• 6M: 11.32%
• 1Y: 19.37%
• 3Y*: 15.29%
• 5Y*: 7.66%
• 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)

IQSI vs. NULC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
IQSI IQ Candriam ESG International Equity ETF	9.26%	26.95%	4.84%	16.21%	-14.76%	12.70%	10.36%	0.27%
NULC Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF	14.11%	16.29%	18.71%	22.54%	-20.18%	25.69%	22.51%	1.14%

Correlation

The correlation between IQSI and NULC is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 18, 2019	0.76

The correlation between IQSI and NULC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

IQSI vs. NULC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IQSI	NULC
Financial Services	22.2%	13.4%
Industrials	16.8%	8.4%
Technology	15.9%	36.2%
Healthcare	13.2%	8.7%
Consumer Cyclical	7.6%	8.0%
Consumer Defensive	6.0%	6.0%
Basic Materials	5.6%	1.7%
Communication Services	4.1%	10.9%
Utilities	4.0%	2.0%
Real Estate	2.3%	2.3%
Energy	0.9%	2.4%

Return for Risk

IQSI vs. NULC — Risk / Return Rank

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

IQSI

IQSI Risk / Return Rank: 35
IQSI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
IQSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
IQSI Omega Ratio Rank: 34
IQSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
IQSI Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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.

IQSI vs. NULC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ Candriam ESG International Equity ETF (IQSI) 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.

	IQSI	NULC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.28	2.12	-0.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.86	2.92	-1.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.37	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.62	3.04	-1.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.94	13.07	-7.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IQSI vs. NULC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQSI Sharpe Ratio is 1.28, which is lower than the NULC Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQSI 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

	IQSI	NULC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.28	2.12	-0.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.68	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.80	-0.30

Drawdowns

IQSI vs. NULC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQSI drawdown since its inception was -31.90%, smaller than the maximum NULC drawdown of -34.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQSI and NULC.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQSI	NULC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.90%	-34.86%	+2.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.00%	-8.91%	-3.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.02%	-18.53%	+4.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.86%	-27.90%	-1.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.14%	-0.57%	-0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.50%	-6.30%	-0.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.27%	2.07%	+1.20%

Volatility

IQSI vs. NULC - Volatility Comparison

IQ Candriam ESG International Equity ETF (IQSI) has a higher volatility of 4.89% compared to Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC) at 3.29%. This indicates that IQSI'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

	IQSI	NULC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.89%	3.29%	+1.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.58%	9.90%	+2.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.22%	12.80%	+2.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.32%	16.85%	-0.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.00%	19.68%	-0.68%

IQSI vs. NULC - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQSI has a 0.15% 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

IQSI vs. NULC - Dividend Comparison

IQSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.50%, less than NULC's 8.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
IQSI IQ Candriam ESG International Equity ETF	2.50%	2.75%	2.79%	2.98%	2.89%	2.75%	1.65%	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 IQSI and NULC in my portfolio?

IQSI and NULC have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IQSI or NULC?

IQSI has higher volatility (4.89%) compared to NULC (3.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQSI dropped -31.90% vs NULC's -34.86%.

Which ETF is better, IQSI or NULC?

On 5-year performance, NULC leads with 11.41% vs 7.66% for IQSI. On fees, IQSI is cheaper at 0.15% 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, IQSI or NULC?

Over the 5-year period, NULC has performed better with a 11.41% return vs 7.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQSI or NULC?

IQSI is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for NULC.

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

NULC has the higher dividend yield at 8.91%, compared with 2.50% for IQSI.

What is the main difference between IQSI and NULC?

IQSI is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while NULC is Large Cap Growth Equities. IQSI tracks IQ Candriam ESG International Equity Index, while NULC tracks MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap. They also come from different issuers: New York Life and Nuveen. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for IQSI and 0.20% for NULC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NULC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 1.28), 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.