NUEM vs. NCLO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NUEM (Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and NCLO (Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NUEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI TIAA ESG Emerging Markets, while NCLO is a CLO fund tracking the JP Morgan CLO A Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, NUEM returned 42.42% vs 5.90% for NCLO. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NUEM charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.26%/yr for NCLO.

Performance

NUEM vs. NCLO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF (NUEM) and Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF (NCLO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUEM achieves a 19.14% return, which is significantly higher than NCLO's 1.96% return.

NUEM

• 1D: -1.30%
• 1M: 3.53%
• YTD: 19.14%
• 6M: 21.09%
• 1Y: 42.42%
• 3Y*: 19.13%
• 5Y*: 5.39%
• 10Y*: —

NCLO

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 0.61%
• YTD: 1.96%
• 6M: 2.57%
• 1Y: 5.90%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NUEM vs. NCLO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
NUEM Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF	19.14%	27.12%	-3.36%
NCLO Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF	1.96%	6.28%	0.35%

Correlation

The correlation between NUEM and NCLO is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2024	0.16

Return for Risk

NUEM vs. NCLO — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUEM

NUEM Risk / Return Rank: 70
NUEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
NUEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
NUEM Omega Ratio Rank: 71
NUEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
NUEM Martin Ratio Rank: 70

NCLO

NCLO Risk / Return Rank: 54
NCLO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
NCLO Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
NCLO Omega Ratio Rank: 77
NCLO Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
NCLO Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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. NCLO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF (NUEM) and Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF (NCLO). 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.

	NUEM	NCLO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	1.63	+0.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.08	2.08	+1.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.46	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.69	1.94	+1.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.95	12.85	+0.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NUEM vs. NCLO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is higher than the NCLO Sharpe Ratio of 1.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUEM and NCLO, 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

	NUEM	NCLO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28	1.63	+0.65
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	1.59	-1.18

Drawdowns

NUEM vs. NCLO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUEM drawdown since its inception was -39.48%, which is greater than NCLO's maximum drawdown of -3.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUEM and NCLO.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUEM	NCLO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.48%	-3.05%	-36.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.56%	-3.05%	-8.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.58%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.10%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.30%	-0.35%	-0.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.02%	-0.20%	-14.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.28%	0.46%	+2.82%

Volatility

NUEM vs. NCLO - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF (NUEM) has a higher volatility of 6.76% compared to Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF (NCLO) at 1.14%. This indicates that NUEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NCLO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUEM	NCLO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.76%	1.14%	+5.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.83%	3.46%	+12.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.68%	3.64%	+15.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.72%	3.72%	+16.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.18%	3.72%	+16.46%

NUEM vs. NCLO - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUEM has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than NCLO's 0.26% expense ratio.

Dividends

NUEM vs. NCLO - Dividend Comparison

NUEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.00%, less than NCLO's 5.78% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NCLO Nuveen AA-BBB CLO ETF	5.78%	6.09%	0.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NUEM Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF	3.00%	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 NCLO in my portfolio?

NUEM and NCLO have a correlation of 0.17, 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 NCLO?

NUEM has higher volatility (6.76%) compared to NCLO (1.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUEM dropped -39.48% vs NCLO's -3.05%.

Which ETF is better, NUEM or NCLO?

On 1-year performance, NUEM leads with 42.42% vs 5.90% for NCLO. On fees, NCLO is cheaper at 0.26% per year. On volatility, NCLO has been the lower-risk option at 1.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NUEM or NCLO?

Over the 1-year period, NUEM has performed better with a 42.42% return vs 5.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUEM or NCLO?

NCLO is cheaper with a 0.26% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for NUEM.

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

NCLO has the higher dividend yield at 5.78%, compared with 3.00% for NUEM.

What is the main difference between NUEM and NCLO?

NUEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while NCLO is CLO. NUEM tracks MSCI TIAA ESG Emerging Markets, while NCLO tracks JP Morgan CLO A Index. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for NUEM and 0.26% for NCLO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NUEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.63), 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.