NUAG vs. WTBN

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

NUAG (Nuveen Enhanced Yield U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF) and WTBN (WisdomTree Bianco Total Return Fund) are both Intermediate Core Bond funds - NUAG tracks the ICE BofA Enhanced Yield US Broad Bond while WTBN tracks the Bianco Research Fixed Income Total Return Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, NUAG returned 5.51% vs 4.29% for WTBN. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NUAG charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for WTBN.

Performance

NUAG vs. WTBN - 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 WisdomTree Bianco Total Return Fund (WTBN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUAG achieves a 0.67% return, which is significantly higher than WTBN's -0.10% return.

NUAG

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 0.39%
• YTD: 0.67%
• 6M: 0.70%
• 1Y: 5.51%
• 3Y*: 4.97%
• 5Y*: 0.51%
• 10Y*: —

WTBN

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 0.26%
• YTD: -0.10%
• 6M: -0.24%
• 1Y: 4.29%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NUAG vs. WTBN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
NUAG Nuveen Enhanced Yield U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	0.67%	7.37%	2.02%	0.33%
WTBN WisdomTree Bianco Total Return Fund	-0.10%	6.90%	2.26%	0.03%

Correlation

The correlation between NUAG and WTBN is 0.90, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 21, 2023	0.89

The correlation between NUAG and WTBN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NUAG vs. WTBN — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUAG

NUAG Risk / Return Rank: 45
NUAG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
NUAG Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
NUAG Omega Ratio Rank: 44
NUAG Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
NUAG Martin Ratio Rank: 42

WTBN

WTBN Risk / Return Rank: 32
WTBN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
WTBN Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
WTBN Omega Ratio Rank: 31
WTBN Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
WTBN Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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. WTBN - 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 WisdomTree Bianco Total Return Fund (WTBN). 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	WTBN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.56	1.18	+0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.32	1.73	+0.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.20	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.18	1.51	+0.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.58	4.71	+1.87
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. WTBN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUAG Sharpe Ratio is 1.56, which is higher than the WTBN Sharpe Ratio of 1.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUAG and WTBN, 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	WTBN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.56	1.18	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.08	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.82	-0.50

Drawdowns

NUAG vs. WTBN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUAG drawdown since its inception was -19.79%, which is greater than WTBN's maximum drawdown of -4.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUAG and WTBN.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUAG	WTBN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.79%	-4.08%	-15.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.54%	-2.86%	+0.32%
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	-1.06%	-1.59%	+0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.95%	-1.14%	-3.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.84%	0.91%	-0.07%

Volatility

NUAG vs. WTBN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen Enhanced Yield U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUAG) is 1.15%, while WisdomTree Bianco Total Return Fund (WTBN) has a volatility of 1.37%. This indicates that NUAG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WTBN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUAG	WTBN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.15%	1.37%	-0.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.59%	2.62%	-0.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.58%	3.66%	-0.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.01%	4.53%	+1.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.48%	4.53%	+0.95%

NUAG vs. WTBN - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUAG has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than WTBN's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

NUAG vs. WTBN - Dividend Comparison

NUAG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.49%, more than WTBN's 3.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
NUAG Nuveen Enhanced Yield U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	4.49%	4.43%	4.44%	3.95%	3.60%	2.27%	2.93%	3.54%	3.79%	3.38%	0.48%
WTBN WisdomTree Bianco Total Return Fund	3.98%	4.13%	3.47%	0.03%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUAG and WTBN in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, NUAG and WTBN move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, NUAG or WTBN?

WTBN has higher volatility (1.37%) compared to NUAG (1.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUAG dropped -19.79% vs WTBN's -4.08%.

Which ETF is better, NUAG or WTBN?

On 1-year performance, NUAG leads with 5.51% vs 4.29% for WTBN. 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 WTBN?

Over the 1-year period, NUAG has performed better with a 5.51% return vs 4.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUAG or WTBN?

NUAG is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for WTBN.

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

NUAG has the higher dividend yield at 4.49%, compared with 3.98% for WTBN.

What is the main difference between NUAG and WTBN?

NUAG tracks ICE BofA Enhanced Yield US Broad Bond, while WTBN tracks Bianco Research Fixed Income Total Return Index. They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for NUAG and 0.59% for WTBN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NUAG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.56 vs 1.18), 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.