NPFI vs. NULC

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

NPFI (Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF) and NULC (Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NPFI is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund actively managed by Nuveen, while NULC is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap. NPFI is actively managed, while NULC is passively managed. Over the past year, NPFI returned 7.77% vs 26.89% for NULC. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NPFI charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for NULC.

Performance

NPFI vs. NULC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF (NPFI) 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, NPFI achieves a 1.68% return, which is significantly lower than NULC's 14.17% return.

NPFI

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 0.43%
• YTD: 1.68%
• 6M: 2.17%
• 1Y: 7.77%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

NULC

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 5.15%
• YTD: 14.17%
• 6M: 14.22%
• 1Y: 26.89%
• 3Y*: 21.40%
• 5Y*: 11.42%
• 10Y*: —

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

NPFI vs. NULC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
NPFI Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF	1.68%	9.21%	6.56%
NULC Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF	14.17%	16.29%	10.42%

Correlation

The correlation between NPFI and NULC is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 7, 2024	0.56

The correlation between NPFI and NULC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.61 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NPFI vs. NULC — Risk / Return Rank

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

NPFI

NPFI Risk / Return Rank: 76
NPFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
NPFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
NPFI Omega Ratio Rank: 93
NPFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
NPFI Martin Ratio Rank: 66

NULC

NULC Risk / Return Rank: 65
NULC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
NULC Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
NULC Omega Ratio Rank: 62
NULC Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
NULC 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.

NPFI vs. NULC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF (NPFI) 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.

	NPFI	NULC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.68	2.11	+0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.12	2.91	+1.21
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.63	1.37	+0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.45	3.03	-0.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.83	13.04	-1.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NPFI vs. NULC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NPFI Sharpe Ratio is 2.68, which is comparable to the NULC Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NPFI 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

	NPFI	NULC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.68	2.11	+0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.68	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.66	0.80	+1.86

Drawdowns

NPFI vs. NULC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NPFI drawdown since its inception was -3.18%, smaller than the maximum NULC drawdown of -34.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NPFI and NULC.

Drawdown Indicators

	NPFI	NULC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.18%	-34.86%	+31.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.18%	-8.91%	+5.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.53%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.90%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.06%	-0.51%	+0.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.34%	-6.29%	+5.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.66%	2.07%	-1.41%

Volatility

NPFI vs. NULC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF (NPFI) is 0.75%, while Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC) has a volatility of 3.28%. This indicates that NPFI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NULC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NPFI	NULC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.75%	3.28%	-2.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.53%	9.89%	-7.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.91%	12.78%	-9.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.95%	16.85%	-13.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.95%	19.68%	-16.73%

NPFI vs. NULC - Expense Ratio Comparison

NPFI has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than NULC's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

NPFI vs. NULC - Dividend Comparison

NPFI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.40%, less than NULC's 8.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
NPFI Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF	6.40%	6.33%	5.10%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 NPFI and NULC in my portfolio?

NPFI and NULC have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NPFI or NULC?

NULC has higher volatility (3.28%) compared to NPFI (0.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NPFI dropped -3.18% vs NULC's -34.86%.

Which ETF is better, NPFI or NULC?

On 1-year performance, NULC leads with 26.89% vs 7.77% for NPFI. On fees, NULC is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, NPFI has been the lower-risk option at 0.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NPFI or NULC?

Over the 1-year period, NULC has performed better with a 26.89% return vs 7.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NPFI or NULC?

NULC is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for NPFI.

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

NULC has the higher dividend yield at 8.91%, compared with 6.40% for NPFI.

What is the main difference between NPFI and NULC?

NPFI is categorized as Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds, while NULC is Large Cap Growth Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for NPFI and 0.20% for NULC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NPFI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.68 vs 2.11), 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.