NUBD vs. BFIX

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

NUBD (Nuveen ESG U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF) and BFIX (Build Bond Innovation ETF) are both Intermediate Core Bond funds. NUBD is passively managed, while BFIX is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, NUBD returned 4.04%/yr vs 7.27%/yr for BFIX. Their 0.47 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. NUBD charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for BFIX.

Performance

NUBD vs. BFIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen ESG U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUBD) and Build Bond Innovation ETF (BFIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUBD achieves a 0.05% return, which is significantly lower than BFIX's 0.73% return.

NUBD

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: -0.55%
• 6M: -0.10%
• YTD: 0.05%
• 1Y: 2.25%
• 3Y*: 4.04%
• 5Y*: -0.41%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 1.43%

BFIX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: -0.20%
• 6M: -0.56%
• YTD: 0.73%
• 1Y: 2.94%
• 3Y*: 7.27%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 3.54%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BFIX Build Bond Innovation ETF	$30.57K	$128.41K	$78.93K
NUBD Nuveen ESG U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	$1.01M	$1.49M	$1.50M

NUBD vs. BFIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
NUBD Nuveen ESG U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	0.05%	6.75%	1.31%	5.42%	-10.09%
BFIX Build Bond Innovation ETF	0.73%	5.91%	12.95%	4.97%	-7.60%

Correlation

The correlation between NUBD and BFIX is 0.34, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 10, 2022	0.47

The correlation between NUBD and BFIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.34 (1 year) to 0.47 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NUBD vs. BFIX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

NUBD

NUBD Risk / Return Rank: 23
NUBD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
NUBD Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
NUBD Omega Ratio Rank: 21
NUBD Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
NUBD Martin Ratio Rank: 24

BFIX

BFIX Risk / Return Rank: 44
BFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
BFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
BFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
BFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
BFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

NUBD vs. BFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUBD) and Build Bond Innovation ETF (BFIX). 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.

	NUBD	BFIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.61	1.07	-0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.87	1.64	-0.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.20	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.82	2.45	-1.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.99	5.62	-3.62

NUBD vs. BFIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUBD Sharpe Ratio is 0.61, which is lower than the BFIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUBD and BFIX, 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

NUBD vs. BFIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUBD drawdown since its inception was -19.45%, which is greater than BFIX's maximum drawdown of -8.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUBD and BFIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUBD	BFIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.45%	-8.54%	-10.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.76%	-1.20%	-1.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.95%	-4.05%	-0.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.76%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.07%	-0.93%	-3.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.01%	-2.93%	-3.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.13%	0.52%	+0.61%

Volatility

NUBD vs. BFIX - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen ESG U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUBD) has a higher volatility of 1.18% compared to Build Bond Innovation ETF (BFIX) at 0.41%. This indicates that NUBD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BFIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUBD	BFIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.18%	0.41%	+0.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.95%	1.50%	+1.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.71%	2.76%	+0.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.99%	4.70%	+1.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.10%	4.70%	+0.40%

NUBD vs. BFIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUBD has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than BFIX's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

NUBD vs. BFIX - Dividend Comparison

NUBD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.07%, more than BFIX's 3.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BFIX Build Bond Innovation ETF	3.50%	3.73%	4.38%	4.30%	1.58%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NUBD Nuveen ESG U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	4.07%	3.90%	3.51%	2.99%	2.83%	2.05%	2.21%	2.66%	3.08%	0.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUBD and BFIX in my portfolio?

NUBD and BFIX have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NUBD or BFIX?

NUBD has higher volatility (1.18%) compared to BFIX (0.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUBD dropped -19.45% vs BFIX's -8.54%.

Which ETF is better, NUBD or BFIX?

On 3-year performance, BFIX leads with 7.27% vs 4.04% for NUBD. On fees, NUBD is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, BFIX has been the lower-risk option at 0.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NUBD or BFIX?

Over the 3-year period, BFIX has performed better with a 7.27% return vs 4.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUBD or BFIX?

NUBD is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for BFIX.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NUBD or BFIX?

NUBD has the higher dividend yield at 4.07%, compared with 3.50% for BFIX.

What is the main difference between NUBD and BFIX?

They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and Build. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for NUBD and 0.45% for BFIX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.07 vs 0.61), 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.