NCLO vs. VT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NCLO (Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF) and VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NCLO is a CLO fund tracking the JP Morgan CLO A Index, while VT is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, NCLO returned 5.90% vs 29.24% for VT. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NCLO charges 0.26%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VT.

Performance

NCLO vs. VT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF (NCLO) and Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NCLO achieves a 1.96% return, which is significantly lower than VT's 12.24% return.

NCLO

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

VT

• 1D: -0.88%
• 1M: 4.91%
• YTD: 12.24%
• 6M: 13.14%
• 1Y: 29.24%
• 3Y*: 20.93%
• 5Y*: 10.99%
• 10Y*: 12.74%

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

NCLO vs. VT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
NCLO Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF	1.96%	6.28%	0.35%
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	12.24%	22.43%	-3.75%

Correlation

The correlation between NCLO and VT is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2024	0.21

Return for Risk

NCLO vs. VT — 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

VT

VT Risk / Return Rank: 67
VT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VT Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VT Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VT Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VT Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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. VT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF (NCLO) and Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT). 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	VT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	2.31	-0.68
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	3.20	-1.12
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.42	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.94	3.04	-1.10
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.85	13.53	-0.68
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. VT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NCLO Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is comparable to the VT Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NCLO and VT, 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	VT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.63	2.31	-0.68
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.69	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.74	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.59	0.44	+1.16

Drawdowns

NCLO vs. VT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NCLO drawdown since its inception was -3.05%, smaller than the maximum VT drawdown of -50.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NCLO and VT.

Drawdown Indicators

	NCLO	VT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.05%	-50.27%	+47.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.05%	-9.67%	+6.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-16.51%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.38%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.24%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.35%	-0.88%	+0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.20%	-7.02%	+6.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.46%	2.17%	-1.71%

Volatility

NCLO vs. VT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF (NCLO) is 1.14%, while Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) has a volatility of 3.83%. This indicates that NCLO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NCLO	VT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.14%	3.83%	-2.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.46%	10.17%	-6.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.64%	12.70%	-9.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.72%	16.05%	-12.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.72%	17.23%	-13.51%

NCLO vs. VT - Expense Ratio Comparison

NCLO has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is higher than VT's 0.06% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

NCLO vs. VT - Dividend Comparison

NCLO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.78%, more than VT's 1.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NCLO Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF	5.78%	6.09%	0.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	1.59%	1.82%	1.95%	2.08%	2.20%	1.82%	1.66%	2.32%	2.53%	2.11%	2.39%	2.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NCLO and VT in my portfolio?

NCLO and VT have a correlation of 0.16, 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 VT?

VT has higher volatility (3.83%) compared to NCLO (1.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NCLO dropped -3.05% vs VT's -50.27%.

Which ETF is better, NCLO or VT?

On 1-year performance, VT leads with 29.24% vs 5.90% for NCLO. On fees, VT is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, NCLO has been the lower-risk option at 1.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NCLO or VT?

Over the 1-year period, VT has performed better with a 29.24% return vs 5.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NCLO or VT?

VT is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.26% for NCLO.

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

NCLO has the higher dividend yield at 5.78%, compared with 1.59% for VT.

What is the main difference between NCLO and VT?

NCLO is categorized as CLO, while VT is Global Equities. NCLO tracks JP Morgan CLO A Index, while VT tracks FTSE Global All Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.26% for NCLO and 0.06% for VT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 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.