NPFI vs. NUSC

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

NPFI (Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF) and NUSC (Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NPFI is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund actively managed by Nuveen, while NUSC is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Small Cap. NPFI is actively managed, while NUSC is passively managed. Over the past year, NPFI returned 7.77% vs 28.92% for NUSC. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NPFI charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for NUSC.

Performance

NPFI vs. NUSC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF (NPFI) and Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC). 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 NUSC's 13.93% return.

NPFI

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

NUSC

• 1D: 0.93%
• 1M: 3.29%
• YTD: 13.93%
• 6M: 13.54%
• 1Y: 28.92%
• 3Y*: 14.10%
• 5Y*: 4.87%
• 10Y*: —

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

NPFI vs. NUSC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
NPFI Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF	1.68%	9.21%	6.56%
NUSC Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF	13.93%	7.72%	5.44%

Correlation

The correlation between NPFI and NUSC is 0.59, 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	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 7, 2024	0.57

The correlation between NPFI and NUSC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NPFI vs. NUSC — 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

NUSC

NUSC Risk / Return Rank: 53
NUSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
NUSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
NUSC Omega Ratio Rank: 47
NUSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
NUSC Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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. NUSC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF (NPFI) and Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC). 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	NUSC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.68	1.70	+0.98
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.12	2.49	+1.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.63	1.29	+0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.45	2.88	-0.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.83	10.35	+1.48
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. NUSC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NPFI Sharpe Ratio is 2.68, which is higher than the NUSC Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NPFI and NUSC, 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	NUSC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.68	1.70	+0.98
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.23	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.66	0.45	+2.21

Drawdowns

NPFI vs. NUSC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NPFI drawdown since its inception was -3.18%, smaller than the maximum NUSC drawdown of -41.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NPFI and NUSC.

Drawdown Indicators

	NPFI	NUSC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-3.18%	-41.49%	+38.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.18%	-10.10%	+6.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-26.95%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-28.85%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.06%	0.00%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.34%	-8.21%	+7.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.66%	2.80%	-2.14%

Volatility

NPFI vs. NUSC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF (NPFI) is 0.75%, while Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) has a volatility of 4.39%. This indicates that NPFI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NUSC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NPFI	NUSC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.75%	4.39%	-3.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.53%	12.19%	-9.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.91%	17.08%	-14.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.95%	21.15%	-18.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.95%	22.35%	-19.40%

NPFI vs. NUSC - Expense Ratio Comparison

NPFI has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than NUSC's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

NPFI vs. NUSC - Dividend Comparison

NPFI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.40%, more than NUSC's 0.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NPFI Nuveen Preferred And Income ETF	6.40%	6.33%	5.10%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NUSC Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF	0.92%	1.05%	1.15%	1.11%	1.16%	7.06%	0.52%	0.90%	3.95%	0.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NPFI and NUSC in my portfolio?

NPFI and NUSC have a correlation of 0.59, 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 NUSC?

NUSC has higher volatility (4.39%) compared to NPFI (0.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NPFI dropped -3.18% vs NUSC's -41.49%.

Which ETF is better, NPFI or NUSC?

On 1-year performance, NUSC leads with 28.92% vs 7.77% for NPFI. On fees, NUSC is cheaper at 0.30% 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 NUSC?

Over the 1-year period, NUSC has performed better with a 28.92% 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 NUSC?

NUSC is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for NPFI.

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

NPFI has the higher dividend yield at 6.40%, compared with 0.92% for NUSC.

What is the main difference between NPFI and NUSC?

NPFI is categorized as Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds, while NUSC is Small Cap Growth Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for NPFI and 0.30% for NUSC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NPFI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.68 vs 1.70), 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.