NUAG vs. BESF

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

NUAG (Nuveen Enhanced Yield U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF) and BESF (Bastion Energy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NUAG is a Intermediate Core Bond fund tracking the ICE BofA Enhanced Yield US Broad Bond, while BESF is a Energy Equities fund actively managed by Bastion. NUAG is passively managed, while BESF is actively managed. Over the past year, NUAG returned 5.15% vs 55.80% for BESF. At a correlation of -0.25, they often move in opposite directions. NUAG charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for BESF.

Performance

NUAG vs. BESF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Enhanced Yield U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUAG) and Bastion Energy ETF (BESF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUAG achieves a 1.20% return, which is significantly lower than BESF's 13.94% return.

NUAG

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: 1.11%
• YTD: 1.20%
• 6M: 1.06%
• 1Y: 5.15%
• 3Y*: 5.04%
• 5Y*: 0.56%
• 10Y*: —

BESF

• 1D: -1.87%
• 1M: -8.03%
• YTD: 13.94%
• 6M: 13.42%
• 1Y: 55.80%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NUAG vs. BESF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NUAG Nuveen Enhanced Yield U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	1.20%	5.37%
BESF Bastion Energy ETF	13.94%	38.76%

Correlation

The correlation between NUAG and BESF is -0.23, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 2025	-0.25

Return for Risk

NUAG vs. BESF — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUAG

NUAG Risk / Return Rank: 46
NUAG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
NUAG Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
NUAG Omega Ratio Rank: 45
NUAG Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
NUAG Martin Ratio Rank: 41

BESF

BESF Risk / Return Rank: 81
BESF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
BESF Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
BESF Omega Ratio Rank: 73
BESF Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
BESF Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

NUAG vs. BESF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Enhanced Yield U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUAG) and Bastion Energy ETF (BESF). 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.

	NUAG	BESF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.46	2.28	-0.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.17	3.08	-0.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.37	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.04	5.11	-3.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.91	13.92	-8.01

NUAG vs. BESF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUAG Sharpe Ratio is 1.46, which is lower than the BESF Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUAG and BESF, 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

NUAG vs. BESF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUAG drawdown since its inception was -19.79%, which is greater than BESF's maximum drawdown of -10.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUAG and BESF.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUAG	BESF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.79%	-10.97%	-8.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.54%	-10.97%	+8.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.61%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.19%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.54%	-10.44%	+9.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.92%	-2.77%	-2.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.87%	4.02%	-3.15%

Volatility

NUAG vs. BESF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen Enhanced Yield U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUAG) is 1.09%, while Bastion Energy ETF (BESF) has a volatility of 7.11%. This indicates that NUAG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BESF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUAG	BESF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.09%	7.11%	-6.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.71%	15.05%	-12.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.54%	24.70%	-21.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.02%	24.43%	-18.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.48%	24.43%	-18.95%

NUAG vs. BESF - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUAG has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than BESF's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

NUAG vs. BESF - Dividend Comparison

NUAG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.47%, less than BESF's 5.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
BESF Bastion Energy ETF	5.97%	6.39%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NUAG Nuveen Enhanced Yield U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	4.47%	4.43%	4.44%	3.95%	3.60%	2.27%	2.93%	3.54%	3.79%	3.38%	0.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUAG and BESF in my portfolio?

NUAG and BESF 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, NUAG or BESF?

BESF has higher volatility (7.11%) compared to NUAG (1.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUAG dropped -19.79% vs BESF's -10.97%.

Which ETF is better, NUAG or BESF?

On 1-year performance, BESF leads with 55.80% vs 5.15% for NUAG. On fees, NUAG is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, NUAG has been the lower-risk option at 1.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NUAG or BESF?

Over the 1-year period, BESF has performed better with a 55.80% return vs 5.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUAG or BESF?

NUAG is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for BESF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NUAG or BESF?

BESF has the higher dividend yield at 5.97%, compared with 4.47% for NUAG.

What is the main difference between NUAG and BESF?

NUAG is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while BESF is Energy Equities. They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and Bastion. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for NUAG and 0.80% for BESF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BESF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.46), 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.