NUDV vs. NUSA

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

NUDV (Nuveen ESG Dividend ETF) and NUSA (Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NUDV is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Nuveen ESG USA High Dividend Yield Index, while NUSA is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the ICE BofA Enhanced Yield US Broad Bond (1-5 Y). Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, NUDV returned 16.47%/yr vs 4.37%/yr for NUSA. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NUDV charges 0.26%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for NUSA.

Performance

NUDV vs. NUSA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen ESG Dividend ETF (NUDV) and Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUSA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUDV achieves a 10.69% return, which is significantly higher than NUSA's 0.48% return.

NUDV

• 1D: 0.97%
• 1M: 2.25%
• YTD: 10.69%
• 6M: 11.20%
• 1Y: 20.12%
• 3Y*: 16.47%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

NUSA

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 0.48%
• 6M: 0.72%
• 1Y: 3.56%
• 3Y*: 4.37%
• 5Y*: 1.53%
• 10Y*: —

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

NUDV vs. NUSA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
NUDV Nuveen ESG Dividend ETF	10.69%	10.77%	14.02%	10.13%	-7.83%	8.92%
NUSA Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	0.48%	5.89%	3.52%	5.19%	-5.91%	-0.75%

Correlation

The correlation between NUDV and NUSA is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2021	0.20

Return for Risk

NUDV vs. NUSA — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUDV

NUDV Risk / Return Rank: 60
NUDV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
NUDV Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
NUDV Omega Ratio Rank: 56
NUDV Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
NUDV Martin Ratio Rank: 61

NUSA

NUSA Risk / Return Rank: 62
NUSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
NUSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
NUSA Omega Ratio Rank: 66
NUSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
NUSA Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

NUDV vs. NUSA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Dividend ETF (NUDV) and Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUSA). 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.

	NUDV	NUSA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	1.98	-0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.85	3.13	-0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.39	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	2.79	+0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.88	9.89	+1.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NUDV vs. NUSA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUDV Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is comparable to the NUSA Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUDV and NUSA, 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

	NUDV	NUSA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.95	1.98	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.55	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.82	-0.16

Drawdowns

NUDV vs. NUSA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUDV drawdown since its inception was -20.10%, which is greater than NUSA's maximum drawdown of -9.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUDV and NUSA.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUDV	NUSA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.10%	-9.44%	-10.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.60%	-1.28%	-5.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.48%	-1.62%	-14.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-9.44%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.46%	+0.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.92%	-1.65%	-3.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.85%	0.36%	+1.49%

Volatility

NUDV vs. NUSA - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen ESG Dividend ETF (NUDV) has a higher volatility of 2.85% compared to Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUSA) at 0.66%. This indicates that NUDV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NUSA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUDV	NUSA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.85%	0.66%	+2.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.49%	1.33%	+6.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.37%	1.82%	+8.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.97%	2.80%	+12.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.97%	2.72%	+12.25%

NUDV vs. NUSA - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUDV has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is higher than NUSA's 0.15% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

NUDV vs. NUSA - Dividend Comparison

NUDV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.25%, less than NUSA's 3.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NUDV Nuveen ESG Dividend ETF	2.25%	2.36%	6.18%	2.48%	2.96%	0.60%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NUSA Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	3.86%	3.83%	3.93%	3.54%	2.44%	2.16%	2.51%	2.85%	3.22%	2.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUDV and NUSA in my portfolio?

NUDV and NUSA have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NUDV or NUSA?

NUDV has higher volatility (2.85%) compared to NUSA (0.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUDV dropped -20.10% vs NUSA's -9.44%.

Which ETF is better, NUDV or NUSA?

On 3-year performance, NUDV leads with 16.47% vs 4.37% for NUSA. On fees, NUSA is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, NUSA has been the lower-risk option at 0.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NUDV or NUSA?

Over the 3-year period, NUDV has performed better with a 16.47% return vs 4.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUDV or NUSA?

NUSA is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.26% for NUDV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NUDV or NUSA?

NUSA has the higher dividend yield at 3.86%, compared with 2.25% for NUDV.

What is the main difference between NUDV and NUSA?

NUDV is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while NUSA is Short-Term Bond. NUDV tracks Nuveen ESG USA High Dividend Yield Index, while NUSA tracks ICE BofA Enhanced Yield US Broad Bond (1-5 Y). Their fees differ too: 0.26% for NUDV and 0.15% for NUSA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NUSA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.95), 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.