NCIRX vs. ECAT

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

NCIRX (Nuveen Core Impact Bond Managed Accounts Portfolio) and ECAT (BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust) are both mutual funds - NCIRX is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund managed by BlackRock, while ECAT is a Derivative Income fund managed by BlackRock. Over the past 3 years, NCIRX returned 5.19%/yr vs 18.39%/yr for ECAT. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NCIRX charges 0.00%/yr vs 1.38%/yr for ECAT.

Performance

NCIRX vs. ECAT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Core Impact Bond Managed Accounts Portfolio (NCIRX) and BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust (ECAT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NCIRX achieves a 1.03% return, which is significantly lower than ECAT's 10.66% return.

NCIRX

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 0.66%
• YTD: 1.03%
• 6M: 1.67%
• 1Y: 6.12%
• 3Y*: 5.19%
• 5Y*: -0.21%
• 10Y*: —

ECAT

• 1D: 2.30%
• 1M: 1.52%
• YTD: 10.66%
• 6M: 10.05%
• 1Y: 18.29%
• 3Y*: 18.39%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NCIRX vs. ECAT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
NCIRX Nuveen Core Impact Bond Managed Accounts Portfolio	1.03%	7.94%	2.33%	6.33%	-17.36%	-0.15%
ECAT BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust	10.66%	16.64%	19.96%	32.36%	-21.90%	-6.25%

Correlation

The correlation between NCIRX and ECAT is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 28, 2021	0.20

Return for Risk

NCIRX vs. ECAT — Risk / Return Rank

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

NCIRX

NCIRX Risk / Return Rank: 45
NCIRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
NCIRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
NCIRX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
NCIRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
NCIRX Martin Ratio Rank: 34

ECAT

ECAT Risk / Return Rank: 32
ECAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
ECAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
ECAT Omega Ratio Rank: 33
ECAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
ECAT Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

NCIRX vs. ECAT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Core Impact Bond Managed Accounts Portfolio (NCIRX) and BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust (ECAT). 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.

	NCIRX	ECAT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.64	1.33	+0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.57	1.93	+0.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.24	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.29	1.56	+0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.68	5.79	+0.89

NCIRX vs. ECAT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NCIRX Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is comparable to the ECAT Sharpe Ratio of 1.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NCIRX and ECAT, 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

NCIRX vs. ECAT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NCIRX drawdown since its inception was -60.34%, which is greater than ECAT's maximum drawdown of -32.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NCIRX and ECAT.

Drawdown Indicators

	NCIRX	ECAT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.34%	-32.23%	-28.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.86%	-11.80%	+8.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.94%	-15.79%	+8.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.88%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-50.39%	-1.71%	-48.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-53.45%	-9.07%	-44.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.98%	3.18%	-2.20%

Volatility

NCIRX vs. ECAT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen Core Impact Bond Managed Accounts Portfolio (NCIRX) is 1.31%, while BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust (ECAT) has a volatility of 4.46%. This indicates that NCIRX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ECAT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NCIRX	ECAT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.31%	4.46%	-3.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.81%	10.92%	-8.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.00%	13.77%	-9.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.79%	16.91%	-10.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.54%	16.91%	+4.63%

NCIRX vs. ECAT - Expense Ratio Comparison

NCIRX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than ECAT's 1.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

NCIRX vs. ECAT - Dividend Comparison

NCIRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.07%, less than ECAT's 21.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
ECAT BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust	21.82%	23.00%	17.44%	9.14%	8.94%	0.54%	0.00%
NCIRX Nuveen Core Impact Bond Managed Accounts Portfolio	5.07%	5.04%	4.13%	4.51%	4.27%	2.83%	0.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NCIRX and ECAT in my portfolio?

NCIRX and ECAT have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NCIRX or ECAT?

ECAT has higher volatility (4.46%) compared to NCIRX (1.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NCIRX dropped -60.34% vs ECAT's -32.23%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NCIRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.64 vs 1.33), 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.