NUEM vs. NUSC
NUEM (Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and NUSC (Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NUEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the MSCI TIAA ESG Emerging Markets, while NUSC is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Small Cap. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NUEM returned 5.39%/yr vs 4.68%/yr for NUSC. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NUEM charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for NUSC.
Performance
NUEM vs. NUSC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, NUEM achieves a 19.14% return, which is significantly higher than NUSC's 12.88% return.
NUEM
- 1D
- -1.30%
- 1M
- 3.53%
- YTD
- 19.14%
- 6M
- 21.09%
- 1Y
- 42.42%
- 3Y*
- 19.13%
- 5Y*
- 5.39%
- 10Y*
- —
NUSC
- 1D
- -0.57%
- 1M
- 3.77%
- YTD
- 12.88%
- 6M
- 12.74%
- 1Y
- 27.41%
- 3Y*
- 13.27%
- 5Y*
- 4.68%
- 10Y*
- —
NUEM vs. NUSC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NUEM Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF | 19.14% | 27.12% | 9.73% | 8.57% | -19.74% | -1.08% | 24.09% | 16.67% | -17.26% | 18.50% |
NUSC Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF | 12.88% | 7.72% | 8.29% | 15.72% | -17.73% | 17.51% | 23.69% | 27.09% | -9.40% | 9.07% |
Correlation
The correlation between NUEM and NUSC is 0.60, 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 | 0.60 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.55 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.57 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2017 | 0.58 |
The correlation between NUEM and NUSC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.55 to 0.60 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
NUEM vs. NUSC — Risk / Return Rank
NUEM
NUSC
NUEM vs. NUSC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF (NUEM) and Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC). 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 | NUSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.67 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.71 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.28 | +0.15 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.69 | 2.72 | +0.96 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.95 | 9.81 | +3.14 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| NUEM | NUSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.28 | 1.61 | +0.67 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.27 | 0.22 | +0.05 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.41 | 0.44 | -0.03 |
Drawdowns
NUEM vs. NUSC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum NUEM drawdown since its inception was -39.48%, roughly equal to the maximum NUSC drawdown of -41.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUEM and NUSC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| NUEM | NUSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -39.48% | -41.49% | +2.01% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.56% | -10.10% | -1.46% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.58% | -26.95% | +9.37% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -38.10% | -28.85% | -9.25% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.30% | -0.57% | -0.73% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.02% | -8.21% | -6.81% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.28% | 2.80% | +0.48% |
Volatility
NUEM vs. NUSC - Volatility Comparison
Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF (NUEM) has a higher volatility of 6.76% compared to Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) at 4.50%. This indicates that NUEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NUSC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| NUEM | NUSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.76% | 4.50% | +2.26% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.83% | 12.17% | +3.66% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.68% | 17.11% | +1.57% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.72% | 21.15% | -1.43% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.18% | 22.36% | -2.18% |
NUEM vs. NUSC - Expense Ratio Comparison
NUEM has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than NUSC's 0.30% expense ratio.
Dividends
NUEM vs. NUSC - Dividend Comparison
NUEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.00%, more than NUSC's 0.93% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
NUSC Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF | 0.93% | 1.05% | 1.15% | 1.11% | 1.16% | 7.06% | 0.52% | 0.90% | 3.95% | 0.94% |
Frequently Asked Questions
NUEM and NUSC have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NUEM has higher volatility (6.76%) compared to NUSC (4.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUEM dropped -39.48% vs NUSC's -41.49%.
On 5-year performance, NUEM leads with 5.39% vs 4.68% for NUSC. On fees, NUSC is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, NUSC has been the lower-risk option at 4.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, NUEM has performed better with a 5.39% return vs 4.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
NUSC is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for NUEM.
NUEM has the higher dividend yield at 3.00%, compared with 0.93% for NUSC.
NUEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while NUSC is Small Cap Growth Equities. NUEM tracks MSCI TIAA ESG Emerging Markets, while NUSC tracks MSCI TIAA ESG USA Small Cap. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for NUEM and 0.30% for NUSC.
NUEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.61), 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.
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