NUDG vs. SPDG

Last updated Jul 28, 2026

NUDG (Nuveen Dividend Growth Fund ETF Class) and SPDG (SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF) are both Dividend funds. NUDG is actively managed, while SPDG is passively managed. Their 0.47 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. NUDG charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SPDG.

Performance

NUDG vs. SPDG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Dividend Growth Fund ETF Class (NUDG) and SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF (SPDG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

NUDG

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: 3.12%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

SPDG

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 0.20%
• 6M: 10.25%
• YTD: 14.79%
• 1Y: 21.22%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 19.44%

*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)
NUDG Nuveen Dividend Growth Fund ETF Class	$504.41	$455.53	$412.95K
SPDG SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF	$30.01K	$31.12K	$35.00K

NUDG vs. SPDG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
NUDG Nuveen Dividend Growth Fund ETF Class	0.95%
SPDG SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF	-2.29%

Correlation

The correlation between NUDG and SPDG is 0.47, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 3, 2026	0.47

Return for Risk

NUDG vs. SPDG — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUDG

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

SPDG

SPDG Risk / Return Rank: 72
SPDG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
SPDG Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
SPDG Omega Ratio Rank: 72
SPDG Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
SPDG Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

NUDG vs. SPDG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Dividend Growth Fund ETF Class (NUDG) and SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF (SPDG). 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.

	NUDG	SPDG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.71	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.48	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.30	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.56	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	8.33	—

Drawdowns

NUDG vs. SPDG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUDG drawdown since its inception was -2.59%, smaller than the maximum SPDG drawdown of -15.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUDG and SPDG.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUDG	SPDG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.59%	-15.67%	+13.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.34%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.32%	-2.29%	+1.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.05%	-2.19%	+1.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.56%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	NUDG	SPDG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	3.21%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	9.44%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.91%	12.48%	-2.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.91%	14.11%	-4.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.91%	14.11%	-4.20%

NUDG vs. SPDG - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUDG has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is higher than SPDG's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

NUDG vs. SPDG - Dividend Comparison

NUDG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.26%, less than SPDG's 2.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
NUDG Nuveen Dividend Growth Fund ETF Class	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPDG SPDR Portfolio S&P Sector Neutral Dividend ETF	2.71%	2.87%	2.61%	0.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUDG and SPDG in my portfolio?

NUDG and SPDG have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, NUDG or SPDG?

On fees, SPDG is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUDG or SPDG?

SPDG is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for NUDG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NUDG or SPDG?

SPDG has the higher dividend yield at 2.71%, compared with 0.26% for NUDG.

What is the main difference between NUDG and SPDG?

They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for NUDG and 0.05% for SPDG.