NUGO vs. ILCB

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

NUGO (Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF) and ILCB (iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. NUGO is actively managed, while ILCB is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, NUGO returned 23.38%/yr vs 21.04%/yr for ILCB. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NUGO charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for ILCB.

Performance

NUGO vs. ILCB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF (NUGO) and iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (ILCB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUGO achieves a 5.70% return, which is significantly lower than ILCB's 8.52% return.

NUGO

• 1D: -2.28%
• 1M: -2.28%
• YTD: 5.70%
• 6M: 4.55%
• 1Y: 21.40%
• 3Y*: 23.38%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ILCB

• 1D: -1.36%
• 1M: -1.01%
• YTD: 8.52%
• 6M: 7.55%
• 1Y: 23.81%
• 3Y*: 21.04%
• 5Y*: 12.58%
• 10Y*: 14.97%

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

NUGO vs. ILCB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
NUGO Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF	5.70%	14.91%	35.95%	45.37%	-32.73%	7.09%
ILCB iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF	8.52%	17.70%	24.96%	26.91%	-19.48%	6.45%

Correlation

The correlation between NUGO and ILCB is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 28, 2021	0.92

The correlation between NUGO and ILCB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

NUGO vs. ILCB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NUGO	ILCB
Technology	50.3%	38.9%
Consumer Cyclical	16.3%	9.3%
Communication Services	13.1%	9.9%
Healthcare	7.8%	8.4%
Financial Services	4.5%	11.4%
Consumer Defensive	2.8%	4.5%
Industrials	2.6%	8.4%
Basic Materials	1.6%	1.8%
Utilities	0.2%	2.6%
Energy	-	3.1%
Real Estate	-	1.7%

Return for Risk

NUGO vs. ILCB — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUGO

NUGO Risk / Return Rank: 31
NUGO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
NUGO Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
NUGO Omega Ratio Rank: 31
NUGO Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
NUGO Martin Ratio Rank: 29

ILCB

ILCB Risk / Return Rank: 60
ILCB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
ILCB Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
ILCB Omega Ratio Rank: 59
ILCB Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
ILCB Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

NUGO vs. ILCB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF (NUGO) and iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (ILCB). 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.

	NUGO	ILCB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.15	1.89	-0.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.63	2.59	-0.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.34	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.23	2.63	-1.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.92	11.66	-7.74

NUGO vs. ILCB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUGO Sharpe Ratio is 1.15, which is lower than the ILCB Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUGO and ILCB, 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

NUGO vs. ILCB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUGO drawdown since its inception was -38.01%, smaller than the maximum ILCB drawdown of -51.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUGO and ILCB.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUGO	ILCB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.01%	-51.53%	+13.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.54%	-9.09%	-8.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.12%	-19.05%	-6.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.47%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.45%	-3.00%	-2.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.97%	-6.23%	-5.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.48%	2.05%	+3.43%

Volatility

NUGO vs. ILCB - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF (NUGO) has a higher volatility of 7.16% compared to iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (ILCB) at 4.82%. This indicates that NUGO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ILCB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUGO	ILCB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.16%	4.82%	+2.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.45%	9.99%	+4.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.76%	12.66%	+6.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.19%	17.23%	+5.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.19%	18.20%	+4.99%

NUGO vs. ILCB - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUGO has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is higher than ILCB's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

NUGO vs. ILCB - Dividend Comparison

NUGO has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ILCB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ILCB iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF	1.00%	1.11%	1.19%	1.43%	1.65%	1.16%	1.26%	2.25%	2.17%	1.81%	1.97%	2.44%
NUGO Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.19%	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUGO and ILCB in my portfolio?

NUGO and ILCB have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NUGO or ILCB?

NUGO has higher volatility (7.16%) compared to ILCB (4.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUGO dropped -38.01% vs ILCB's -51.53%.

Which ETF is better, NUGO or ILCB?

On 3-year performance, NUGO leads with 23.38% vs 21.04% for ILCB. On fees, ILCB is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, ILCB has been the lower-risk option at 4.82%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NUGO or ILCB?

Over the 3-year period, NUGO has performed better with a 23.38% return vs 21.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUGO or ILCB?

ILCB is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.56% for NUGO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NUGO or ILCB?

ILCB has the higher dividend yield at 1.00%, compared with 0.00% for NUGO.

What is the main difference between NUGO and ILCB?

They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.56% for NUGO and 0.03% for ILCB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ILCB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 1.15), 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.