NUBD vs. NUGO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

NUBD (Nuveen ESG U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF) and NUGO (Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NUBD is a Intermediate Core Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg MSCI U.S. Aggregate ESG Select Index, while NUGO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Nuveen. NUBD is passively managed, while NUGO is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, NUBD returned 3.82%/yr vs 25.80%/yr for NUGO. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NUBD charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for NUGO.

Performance

NUBD vs. NUGO - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUBD achieves a 0.36% return, which is significantly lower than NUGO's 9.96% return.

NUBD

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 0.36%
• 6M: 0.43%
• 1Y: 4.51%
• 3Y*: 3.82%
• 5Y*: -0.03%
• 10Y*: —

NUGO

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: 4.72%
• YTD: 9.96%
• 6M: 8.88%
• 1Y: 26.78%
• 3Y*: 25.80%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NUBD vs. NUGO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
NUBD Nuveen ESG U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	0.36%	6.75%	1.31%	5.42%	-12.90%	-0.08%
NUGO Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF	9.96%	14.91%	35.95%	45.37%	-32.73%	7.78%

Correlation

The correlation between NUBD and NUGO is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2021	0.14

Return for Risk

NUBD vs. NUGO — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUBD

NUBD Risk / Return Rank: 33
NUBD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
NUBD Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
NUBD Omega Ratio Rank: 32
NUBD Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
NUBD Martin Ratio Rank: 33

NUGO

NUGO Risk / Return Rank: 38
NUGO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
NUGO Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
NUGO Omega Ratio Rank: 41
NUGO Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
NUGO Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

NUBD vs. NUGO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	NUBD	NUGO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.21	1.52	-0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.76	2.11	-0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.26	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.64	1.53	+0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.87	4.99	-0.12
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NUBD vs. NUGO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUBD Sharpe Ratio is 1.21, which is comparable to the NUGO Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUBD and NUGO, 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

	NUBD	NUGO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.21	1.52	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.01	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	0.59	-0.29

Drawdowns

NUBD vs. NUGO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUBD drawdown since its inception was -19.45%, smaller than the maximum NUGO drawdown of -38.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUBD and NUGO.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUBD	NUGO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.45%	-38.01%	+18.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.76%	-17.54%	+14.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.94%	-25.12%	+19.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.90%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.77%	-1.64%	-2.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.05%	-12.05%	+6.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.93%	5.38%	-4.45%

Volatility

NUBD vs. NUGO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen ESG U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUBD) is 1.22%, while Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF (NUGO) has a volatility of 4.19%. This indicates that NUBD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NUGO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUBD	NUGO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.22%	4.19%	-2.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.62%	13.35%	-10.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.79%	17.70%	-13.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.99%	23.11%	-17.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.12%	23.11%	-17.99%

NUBD vs. NUGO - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUBD has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than NUGO's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

NUBD vs. NUGO - Dividend Comparison

NUBD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.98%, while NUGO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NUBD Nuveen ESG U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	3.98%	3.90%	3.51%	2.99%	2.83%	2.05%	2.21%	2.66%	3.08%	0.58%
NUGO Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.19%	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUBD and NUGO in my portfolio?

NUBD and NUGO have a correlation of 0.18, 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 NUGO?

NUGO has higher volatility (4.19%) compared to NUBD (1.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUBD dropped -19.45% vs NUGO's -38.01%.

Which ETF is better, NUBD or NUGO?

On 3-year performance, NUGO leads with 25.80% vs 3.82% for NUBD. On fees, NUBD is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, NUBD has been the lower-risk option at 1.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NUBD or NUGO?

Over the 3-year period, NUGO has performed better with a 25.80% return vs 3.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUBD or NUGO?

NUBD is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.56% for NUGO.

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

NUBD has the higher dividend yield at 3.98%, compared with 0.00% for NUGO.

What is the main difference between NUBD and NUGO?

NUBD is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while NUGO is Large Cap Growth Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for NUBD and 0.56% for NUGO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NUGO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs 1.21), 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.