NCLO vs. PCLO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NCLO (Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF) and PCLO (Virtus SEIX AAA Private Credit CLO ETF) are both CLO funds. NCLO is passively managed, while PCLO is actively managed. Over the past year, NCLO returned 5.90% vs 5.30% for PCLO. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NCLO charges 0.26%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for PCLO.

Performance

NCLO vs. PCLO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF (NCLO) and Virtus SEIX AAA Private Credit CLO ETF (PCLO). 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 NCLO having a 1.96% return and PCLO slightly higher at 1.97%.

NCLO

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 0.61%
• YTD: 1.96%
• 6M: 2.57%
• 1Y: 5.90%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PCLO

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 1.97%
• 6M: 2.29%
• 1Y: 5.30%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NCLO vs. PCLO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
NCLO Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF	1.96%	6.28%	0.35%
PCLO Virtus SEIX AAA Private Credit CLO ETF	1.97%	5.39%	0.26%

Correlation

The correlation between NCLO and PCLO is 0.00, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2024	0.02

Return for Risk

NCLO vs. PCLO — Risk / Return Rank

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

NCLO

NCLO Risk / Return Rank: 54
NCLO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
NCLO Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
NCLO Omega Ratio Rank: 77
NCLO Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
NCLO Martin Ratio Rank: 69

PCLO

PCLO Risk / Return Rank: 99
PCLO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
PCLO Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
PCLO Omega Ratio Rank: 99
PCLO Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
PCLO Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

NCLO vs. PCLO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF (NCLO) and Virtus SEIX AAA Private Credit CLO ETF (PCLO). 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.

	NCLO	PCLO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	5.94	-4.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	10.34	-8.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	2.76	-1.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.94	20.27	-18.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.85	123.68	-110.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NCLO vs. PCLO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NCLO Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is lower than the PCLO Sharpe Ratio of 5.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NCLO and PCLO, 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

	NCLO	PCLO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.63	5.94	-4.31
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.59	4.62	-3.03

Drawdowns

NCLO vs. PCLO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NCLO drawdown since its inception was -3.05%, which is greater than PCLO's maximum drawdown of -0.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NCLO and PCLO.

Drawdown Indicators

	NCLO	PCLO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.05%	-0.76%	-2.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.05%	-0.26%	-2.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.35%	0.00%	-0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.20%	-0.03%	-0.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.46%	0.04%	+0.42%

Volatility

NCLO vs. PCLO - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF (NCLO) has a higher volatility of 1.14% compared to Virtus SEIX AAA Private Credit CLO ETF (PCLO) at 0.25%. This indicates that NCLO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PCLO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NCLO	PCLO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.14%	0.25%	+0.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.46%	0.70%	+2.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.64%	0.90%	+2.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.72%	1.15%	+2.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.72%	1.15%	+2.57%

NCLO vs. PCLO - Expense Ratio Comparison

NCLO has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is lower than PCLO's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

NCLO vs. PCLO - Dividend Comparison

NCLO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.78%, more than PCLO's 5.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
NCLO Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF	5.78%	6.09%	0.35%
PCLO Virtus SEIX AAA Private Credit CLO ETF	5.27%	5.53%	0.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NCLO and PCLO in my portfolio?

NCLO and PCLO have a correlation of 0.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NCLO or PCLO?

NCLO has higher volatility (1.14%) compared to PCLO (0.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NCLO dropped -3.05% vs PCLO's -0.76%.

Which ETF is better, NCLO or PCLO?

On 1-year performance, NCLO leads with 5.90% vs 5.30% for PCLO. On fees, NCLO is cheaper at 0.26% per year. On volatility, PCLO has been the lower-risk option at 0.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NCLO or PCLO?

Over the 1-year period, NCLO has performed better with a 5.90% return vs 5.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NCLO or PCLO?

NCLO is cheaper with a 0.26% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for PCLO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NCLO or PCLO?

NCLO has the higher dividend yield at 5.78%, compared with 5.27% for PCLO.

What is the main difference between NCLO and PCLO?

They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and Virtus. Their fees differ too: 0.26% for NCLO and 0.29% for PCLO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PCLO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (5.94 vs 1.63), 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.