NUDM vs. EMXF

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF (NUDM) and iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF (EMXF).

NUDM and EMXF are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. NUDM is a passively managed fund by Nuveen that tracks the performance of the MSCI TIAA ESG International DM. It was launched on Jun 7, 2017. EMXF is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI Emerging Markets Choice ESG Screened 5% Issuer Capped Index. It was launched on Oct 6, 2020. Both NUDM and EMXF are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

NUDM vs. EMXF - Performance Comparison

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

NUDM vs. EMXF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
NUDM Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF	-0.28%	29.60%	5.47%	17.70%	-15.16%	10.62%	13.60%
EMXF iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF	2.81%	29.40%	8.03%	6.63%	-18.99%	4.45%	15.32%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUDM achieves a -0.28% return, which is significantly lower than EMXF's 2.81% return.

NUDM

• 1D: 3.56%
• 1M: -9.02%
• YTD: -0.28%
• 6M: 3.27%
• 1Y: 21.98%
• 3Y*: 13.76%
• 5Y*: 7.54%
• 10Y*: —

EMXF

• 1D: 3.35%
• 1M: -8.16%
• YTD: 2.81%
• 6M: 8.14%
• 1Y: 29.67%
• 3Y*: 14.20%
• 5Y*: 4.25%
• 10Y*: —

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

NUDM vs. EMXF - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUDM has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than EMXF's 0.16% expense ratio.

NUDM

Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF

EMXF

iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF

Return for Risk

NUDM vs. EMXF — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUDM

NUDM Risk / Return Rank: 68
NUDM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
NUDM Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
NUDM Omega Ratio Rank: 66
NUDM Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
NUDM Martin Ratio Rank: 66

EMXF

EMXF Risk / Return Rank: 83
EMXF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
EMXF Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
EMXF Omega Ratio Rank: 81
EMXF Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
EMXF Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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. EMXF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF (NUDM) and iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF (EMXF). 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	EMXF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.24	1.61	-0.36
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.74	2.19	-0.45
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.31	-0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.66	2.38	-0.71
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.66	9.33	-2.67
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. EMXF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUDM Sharpe Ratio is 1.24, which is comparable to the EMXF Sharpe Ratio of 1.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUDM and EMXF, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NUDM	EMXF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.24	1.61	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.20	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.36	+0.08

Correlation

The correlation between NUDM and EMXF is 0.66, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

NUDM vs. EMXF - Dividend Comparison

NUDM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.48%, more than EMXF's 3.34% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NUDM Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF	7.48%	7.46%	3.33%	3.14%	1.98%	4.31%	1.47%	3.42%	2.45%	0.47%
EMXF iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF	3.34%	3.43%	2.92%	2.25%	2.42%	1.87%	0.41%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

NUDM vs. EMXF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUDM drawdown since its inception was -32.01%, roughly equal to the maximum EMXF drawdown of -33.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUDM and EMXF.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUDM	EMXF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.01%	-33.13%	+1.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.50%	-12.53%	+0.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.09%	-32.89%	+2.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.16%	-9.60%	+0.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.92%	-12.34%	+5.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.12%	3.19%	-0.07%

Volatility

NUDM vs. EMXF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF (NUDM) is 8.28%, while iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EM ETF (EMXF) has a volatility of 9.71%. This indicates that NUDM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EMXF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUDM	EMXF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.28%	9.71%	-1.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.67%	13.59%	-1.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.77%	18.56%	-0.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.47%	21.82%	-5.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.56%	21.61%	-4.05%