NBET vs. USAI

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

NBET (Neuberger Berman Energy Transition & Infrastructure ETF) and USAI (Pacer American Energy Independence ETF) are both Energy Equities funds. NBET is actively managed, while USAI is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, NBET returned 20.01%/yr vs 25.93%/yr for USAI. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NBET charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for USAI.

Performance

NBET vs. USAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Neuberger Berman Energy Transition & Infrastructure ETF (NBET) and Pacer American Energy Independence ETF (USAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with NBET having a 21.93% return and USAI slightly higher at 22.85%.

NBET

• 1D: 1.28%
• 1M: -3.13%
• YTD: 21.93%
• 6M: 22.32%
• 1Y: 24.61%
• 3Y*: 20.01%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

USAI

• 1D: 1.67%
• 1M: -2.02%
• YTD: 22.85%
• 6M: 23.14%
• 1Y: 21.57%
• 3Y*: 25.93%
• 5Y*: 18.72%
• 10Y*: —

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

NBET vs. USAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
NBET Neuberger Berman Energy Transition & Infrastructure ETF	21.93%	5.87%	30.30%	7.48%	-6.07%
USAI Pacer American Energy Independence ETF	22.85%	0.69%	43.99%	14.21%	-4.22%

Correlation

The correlation between NBET and USAI is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 7, 2022	0.74

The correlation between NBET and USAI shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (all time) to 0.90 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

NBET vs. USAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NBET	USAI
Energy	88.7%	97.8%
Utilities	9.0%	2.1%
Industrials	2.3%	-
Basic Materials	0.9%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

NBET vs. USAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

NBET

NBET Risk / Return Rank: 56
NBET Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
NBET Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
NBET Omega Ratio Rank: 48
NBET Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
NBET Martin Ratio Rank: 53

USAI

USAI Risk / Return Rank: 43
USAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
USAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
USAI Omega Ratio Rank: 38
USAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
USAI Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

NBET vs. USAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Neuberger Berman Energy Transition & Infrastructure ETF (NBET) and Pacer American Energy Independence ETF (USAI). 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.

	NBET	USAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.68	1.35	+0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.27	1.88	+0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.23	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.09	2.41	+0.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.27	5.05	+3.22

NBET vs. USAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NBET Sharpe Ratio is 1.68, which is comparable to the USAI Sharpe Ratio of 1.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NBET and USAI, 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

NBET vs. USAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NBET drawdown since its inception was -18.72%, smaller than the maximum USAI drawdown of -65.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NBET and USAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	NBET	USAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.72%	-65.25%	+46.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.00%	-9.01%	+1.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.72%	-18.22%	-0.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.68%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.11%	-5.46%	-0.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.07%	-9.34%	+4.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.98%	4.28%	-1.30%

Volatility

NBET vs. USAI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Neuberger Berman Energy Transition & Infrastructure ETF (NBET) is 4.82%, while Pacer American Energy Independence ETF (USAI) has a volatility of 5.63%. This indicates that NBET experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than USAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NBET	USAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.82%	5.63%	-0.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.14%	12.54%	-1.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.72%	16.07%	-1.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.48%	20.49%	-1.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.48%	27.25%	-7.77%

NBET vs. USAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

NBET has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than USAI's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

NBET vs. USAI - Dividend Comparison

NBET's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.47%, less than USAI's 4.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NBET Neuberger Berman Energy Transition & Infrastructure ETF	2.47%	2.70%	2.43%	1.22%	0.87%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
USAI Pacer American Energy Independence ETF	4.53%	5.03%	3.62%	4.99%	5.41%	6.15%	7.67%	6.50%	5.56%	0.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NBET and USAI in my portfolio?

NBET and USAI have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NBET or USAI?

USAI has higher volatility (5.63%) compared to NBET (4.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NBET dropped -18.72% vs USAI's -65.25%.

Which ETF is better, NBET or USAI?

On 3-year performance, USAI leads with 25.93% vs 20.01% for NBET. On fees, NBET is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, NBET has been the lower-risk option at 4.82%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NBET or USAI?

Over the 3-year period, USAI has performed better with a 25.93% return vs 20.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NBET or USAI?

NBET is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for USAI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NBET or USAI?

USAI has the higher dividend yield at 4.53%, compared with 2.47% for NBET.

What is the main difference between NBET and USAI?

They also come from different issuers: Neuberger Berman and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for NBET and 0.75% for USAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NBET currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 vs 1.35), 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.