NUDM vs. AVEM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

NUDM (Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF) and AVEM (Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - NUDM tracks the MSCI TIAA ESG International DM while AVEM tracks the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NUDM returned 8.31%/yr vs 10.44%/yr for AVEM. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NUDM charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for AVEM.

Performance

NUDM vs. AVEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF (NUDM) and Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUDM achieves a 8.57% return, which is significantly lower than AVEM's 29.38% return.

NUDM

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 3.15%
• YTD: 8.57%
• 6M: 10.96%
• 1Y: 21.24%
• 3Y*: 16.25%
• 5Y*: 8.31%
• 10Y*: —

AVEM

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 10.00%
• YTD: 29.38%
• 6M: 31.57%
• 1Y: 57.57%
• 3Y*: 26.65%
• 5Y*: 10.44%
• 10Y*: —

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

NUDM vs. AVEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
NUDM Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF	8.57%	29.60%	5.47%	17.70%	-15.16%	10.62%	10.06%	7.21%
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF	29.38%	34.48%	7.49%	15.30%	-18.15%	5.16%	14.39%	11.13%

Correlation

The correlation between NUDM and AVEM is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 20, 2019	0.76

The correlation between NUDM and AVEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

NUDM vs. AVEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NUDM	AVEM
Financial Services	25.9%	20.7%
Industrials	21.2%	9.2%
Technology	12.1%	32.3%
Healthcare	10.8%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	7.4%	3.1%
Consumer Cyclical	6.0%	9.2%
Basic Materials	5.4%	8.1%
Communication Services	4.5%	5.4%
Utilities	3.8%	2.6%
Real Estate	2.3%	1.6%
Energy	0.7%	5.1%

Return for Risk

NUDM vs. AVEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUDM

NUDM Risk / Return Rank: 37
NUDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
NUDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
NUDM Omega Ratio Rank: 36
NUDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
NUDM Martin Ratio Rank: 41

AVEM

AVEM Risk / Return Rank: 85
AVEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
AVEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
AVEM Omega Ratio Rank: 86
AVEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
AVEM Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

NUDM vs. AVEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF (NUDM) and Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM). 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.

	NUDM	AVEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.36	2.98	-1.63
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.94	3.80	-1.86
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.54	-0.30
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.79	4.50	-2.71
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.70	17.88	-11.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NUDM vs. AVEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUDM Sharpe Ratio is 1.36, which is lower than the AVEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUDM and AVEM, 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

	NUDM	AVEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.36	2.98	-1.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.57	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.67	-0.18

Drawdowns

NUDM vs. AVEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUDM drawdown since its inception was -32.01%, smaller than the maximum AVEM drawdown of -36.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUDM and AVEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUDM	AVEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.01%	-36.05%	+4.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.50%	-13.13%	+0.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.47%	-18.02%	+4.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.09%	-34.00%	+3.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.09%	0.00%	-1.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.86%	-10.10%	+3.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.34%	3.30%	+0.04%

Volatility

NUDM vs. AVEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF (NUDM) is 5.46%, while Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF (AVEM) has a volatility of 8.14%. This indicates that NUDM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AVEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUDM	AVEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.46%	8.14%	-2.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.02%	16.64%	-3.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.75%	19.40%	-3.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.64%	18.33%	-1.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.59%	20.55%	-2.96%

NUDM vs. AVEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUDM has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than AVEM's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

NUDM vs. AVEM - Dividend Comparison

NUDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.87%, more than AVEM's 1.95% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AVEM Avantis Emerging Markets Equity ETF	1.95%	2.45%	3.17%	3.06%	2.77%	2.61%	1.60%	0.35%	0.00%	0.00%
NUDM Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF	6.87%	7.46%	3.33%	3.14%	1.98%	4.31%	1.47%	3.42%	2.45%	0.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUDM and AVEM in my portfolio?

NUDM and AVEM have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NUDM or AVEM?

AVEM has higher volatility (8.14%) compared to NUDM (5.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUDM dropped -32.01% vs AVEM's -36.05%.

Which ETF is better, NUDM or AVEM?

On 5-year performance, AVEM leads with 10.44% vs 8.31% for NUDM. On fees, NUDM is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, NUDM has been the lower-risk option at 5.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NUDM or AVEM?

Over the 5-year period, AVEM has performed better with a 10.44% return vs 8.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUDM or AVEM?

NUDM is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.33% for AVEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NUDM or AVEM?

NUDM has the higher dividend yield at 6.87%, compared with 1.95% for AVEM.

What is the main difference between NUDM and AVEM?

NUDM tracks MSCI TIAA ESG International DM, while AVEM tracks MSCI Emerging Markets Index. They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and American Century. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for NUDM and 0.33% for AVEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.98 vs 1.36), 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.