NUAG vs. FALN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NUAG (Nuveen Enhanced Yield U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF) and FALN (iShares Fallen Angels USD Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NUAG is a Intermediate Core Bond fund tracking the ICE BofA Enhanced Yield US Broad Bond, while FALN is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg US High Yield Fallen Angel 3% Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NUAG returned 0.47%/yr vs 3.78%/yr for FALN. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NUAG charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for FALN.

Performance

NUAG vs. FALN - 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 iShares Fallen Angels USD Bond ETF (FALN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUAG achieves a 0.50% return, which is significantly lower than FALN's 1.56% return.

NUAG

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 0.41%
• YTD: 0.50%
• 6M: 0.32%
• 1Y: 5.90%
• 3Y*: 4.89%
• 5Y*: 0.47%
• 10Y*: —

FALN

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 0.68%
• YTD: 1.56%
• 6M: 1.36%
• 1Y: 8.66%
• 3Y*: 9.18%
• 5Y*: 3.78%
• 10Y*: —

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

NUAG vs. FALN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NUAG Nuveen Enhanced Yield U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	0.50%	7.37%	2.02%	7.52%	-13.97%	-2.03%	7.48%	10.13%	-1.45%	3.98%
FALN iShares Fallen Angels USD Bond ETF	1.56%	8.92%	7.68%	13.47%	-13.79%	5.40%	14.85%	17.42%	-4.97%	8.70%

Correlation

The correlation between NUAG and FALN is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 16, 2016	0.41

Over the past year, NUAG and FALN have become more correlated (0.66) than their long-term average of 0.41, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

NUAG vs. FALN — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUAG

NUAG Risk / Return Rank: 47
NUAG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
NUAG Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
NUAG Omega Ratio Rank: 47
NUAG Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
NUAG Martin Ratio Rank: 44

FALN

FALN Risk / Return Rank: 54
FALN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
FALN Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
FALN Omega Ratio Rank: 60
FALN Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
FALN Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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. FALN - 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 iShares Fallen Angels USD Bond ETF (FALN). 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.

	NUAG	FALN	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.65	1.91	-0.26
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.48	2.78	-0.30
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.37	-0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.33	2.20	+0.13
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.06	9.17	-2.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NUAG vs. FALN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUAG Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is comparable to the FALN Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUAG and FALN, 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

	NUAG	FALN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.65	1.91	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08	0.52	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.74	-0.43

Drawdowns

NUAG vs. FALN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUAG drawdown since its inception was -19.79%, smaller than the maximum FALN drawdown of -29.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUAG and FALN.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUAG	FALN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.79%	-29.22%	+9.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.54%	-3.96%	+1.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.61%	-5.92%	+0.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.19%	-18.78%	-0.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.23%	-0.26%	-0.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.95%	-3.32%	-1.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.84%	0.95%	-0.11%

Volatility

NUAG vs. FALN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen Enhanced Yield U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUAG) is 1.15%, while iShares Fallen Angels USD Bond ETF (FALN) has a volatility of 1.38%. This indicates that NUAG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FALN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUAG	FALN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.15%	1.38%	-0.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.59%	3.64%	-1.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.58%	4.54%	-0.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.01%	7.31%	-1.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.49%	8.95%	-3.46%

NUAG vs. FALN - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUAG has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than FALN's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

NUAG vs. FALN - Dividend Comparison

NUAG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.50%, less than FALN's 6.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
FALN iShares Fallen Angels USD Bond ETF	6.46%	6.31%	6.24%	5.37%	5.08%	3.40%	5.14%	5.35%	5.97%	6.98%	3.55%
NUAG Nuveen Enhanced Yield U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	4.50%	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 FALN in my portfolio?

NUAG and FALN have a correlation of 0.66, 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 FALN?

FALN has higher volatility (1.38%) compared to NUAG (1.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUAG dropped -19.79% vs FALN's -29.22%.

Which ETF is better, NUAG or FALN?

On 5-year performance, FALN leads with 3.78% vs 0.47% for NUAG. On fees, NUAG is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, NUAG has been the lower-risk option at 1.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NUAG or FALN?

Over the 5-year period, FALN has performed better with a 3.78% return vs 0.47%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUAG or FALN?

NUAG is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for FALN.

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

FALN has the higher dividend yield at 6.46%, compared with 4.50% for NUAG.

What is the main difference between NUAG and FALN?

NUAG is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while FALN is High Yield Bonds. NUAG tracks ICE BofA Enhanced Yield US Broad Bond, while FALN tracks Bloomberg US High Yield Fallen Angel 3% Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for NUAG and 0.25% for FALN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FALN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 1.65), 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.