NUEM vs. DUSB

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

NUEM (Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and DUSB (Dimensional Ultrashort Fixed Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NUEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI TIAA ESG Emerging Markets, while DUSB is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Dimensional. NUEM is passively managed, while DUSB is actively managed. Over the past year, NUEM returned 26.89% vs 4.22% for DUSB. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NUEM charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for DUSB.

Performance

NUEM vs. DUSB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF (NUEM) and Dimensional Ultrashort Fixed Income ETF (DUSB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUEM achieves a 15.54% return, which is significantly higher than DUSB's 2.13% return.

NUEM

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: -4.71%
• 6M: 10.13%
• YTD: 15.54%
• 1Y: 26.89%
• 3Y*: 16.34%
• 5Y*: 5.15%
• 10Y*: —

DUSB

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.28%
• 6M: 2.01%
• YTD: 2.13%
• 1Y: 4.22%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NUEM vs. DUSB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
NUEM Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF	15.54%	27.12%	9.73%	6.77%
DUSB Dimensional Ultrashort Fixed Income ETF	2.13%	4.53%	5.60%	1.79%

Correlation

The correlation between NUEM and DUSB 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	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2023	0.08

The correlation between NUEM and DUSB shifts across timeframes, from 0.08 (all time) to 0.18 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NUEM vs. DUSB — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUEM

NUEM Risk / Return Rank: 48
NUEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
NUEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
NUEM Omega Ratio Rank: 46
NUEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
NUEM Martin Ratio Rank: 52

DUSB

DUSB Risk / Return Rank: 99
DUSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
DUSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
DUSB Omega Ratio Rank: 99
DUSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
DUSB Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

NUEM vs. DUSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF (NUEM) and Dimensional Ultrashort Fixed Income ETF (DUSB). 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.

	NUEM	DUSB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.26	9.42	-8.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.78	21.94	-20.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	4.73	-3.49
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.34	43.16	-40.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.21	249.14	-241.93

NUEM vs. DUSB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.26, which is lower than the DUSB Sharpe Ratio of 9.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUEM and DUSB, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

NUEM vs. DUSB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUEM drawdown since its inception was -39.48%, which is greater than DUSB's maximum drawdown of -0.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUEM and DUSB.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUEM	DUSB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.48%	-0.29%	-39.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.56%	-0.10%	-11.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.58%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.19%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.86%	0.00%	-6.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.89%	-0.01%	-14.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.74%	0.02%	+3.72%

Volatility

NUEM vs. DUSB - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF (NUEM) has a higher volatility of 9.69% compared to Dimensional Ultrashort Fixed Income ETF (DUSB) at 0.19%. This indicates that NUEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DUSB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUEM	DUSB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.69%	0.19%	+9.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.22%	0.34%	+18.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.38%	0.45%	+20.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.28%	0.52%	+19.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.40%	0.52%	+19.88%

NUEM vs. DUSB - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUEM has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than DUSB's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

NUEM vs. DUSB - Dividend Comparison

NUEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.10%, less than DUSB's 4.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DUSB Dimensional Ultrashort Fixed Income ETF	4.04%	4.32%	4.92%	1.23%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NUEM Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF	3.10%	3.58%	1.95%	2.37%	1.90%	2.45%	1.26%	1.98%	2.05%	0.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUEM and DUSB in my portfolio?

NUEM and DUSB 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, NUEM or DUSB?

NUEM has higher volatility (9.69%) compared to DUSB (0.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUEM dropped -39.48% vs DUSB's -0.29%.

Which ETF is better, NUEM or DUSB?

On 1-year performance, NUEM leads with 26.89% vs 4.22% for DUSB. On fees, DUSB is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, DUSB has been the lower-risk option at 0.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NUEM or DUSB?

Over the 1-year period, NUEM has performed better with a 26.89% return vs 4.22%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUEM or DUSB?

DUSB is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for NUEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NUEM or DUSB?

DUSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.04%, compared with 3.10% for NUEM.

What is the main difference between NUEM and DUSB?

NUEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while DUSB is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for NUEM and 0.15% for DUSB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DUSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (9.42 vs 1.26), 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.