NULC vs. ESGD

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC) and iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF (ESGD).

NULC and ESGD are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. NULC is a passively managed fund by Nuveen that tracks the performance of the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap. It was launched on Jun 3, 2019. ESGD is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI EAFE Extended ESG Focus Index. It was launched on Jun 28, 2016. Both NULC and ESGD are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

NULC vs. ESGD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC) and iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF (ESGD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

NULC vs. ESGD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
NULC Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF	-3.28%	16.29%	18.71%	22.54%	-20.18%	25.69%	22.51%	16.89%
ESGD iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF	0.56%	29.63%	3.95%	18.53%	-15.17%	11.79%	8.20%	12.39%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NULC achieves a -3.28% return, which is significantly lower than ESGD's 0.56% return.

NULC

• 1D: 2.71%
• 1M: -4.85%
• YTD: -3.28%
• 6M: -1.90%
• 1Y: 16.57%
• 3Y*: 15.49%
• 5Y*: 8.70%
• 10Y*: —

ESGD

• 1D: 3.29%
• 1M: -8.25%
• YTD: 0.56%
• 6M: 4.79%
• 1Y: 21.50%
• 3Y*: 13.70%
• 5Y*: 7.69%
• 10Y*: —

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

NULC vs. ESGD - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both NULC and ESGD have an expense ratio of 0.20%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

NULC

Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF

ESGD

iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF

Return for Risk

NULC vs. ESGD — Risk / Return Rank

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

NULC

NULC Risk / Return Rank: 57
NULC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
NULC Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
NULC Omega Ratio Rank: 54
NULC Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
NULC Martin Ratio Rank: 67

ESGD

ESGD Risk / Return Rank: 71
ESGD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
ESGD Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
ESGD Omega Ratio Rank: 70
ESGD Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
ESGD Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

NULC vs. ESGD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC) and iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF (ESGD). 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.

	NULC	ESGD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.92	1.22	-0.30
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.41	1.75	-0.34
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.25	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.51	1.75	-0.24
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.75	6.75	0.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NULC vs. ESGD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NULC Sharpe Ratio is 0.92, which is comparable to the ESGD Sharpe Ratio of 1.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NULC and ESGD, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NULC	ESGD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92	1.22	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52	0.47	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.68	0.53	+0.14

Correlation

The correlation between NULC and ESGD is 0.78, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

NULC vs. ESGD - Dividend Comparison

NULC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.51%, more than ESGD's 3.58% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
NULC Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF	10.51%	10.17%	1.86%	1.32%	2.37%	6.14%	4.07%	0.77%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ESGD iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF	3.58%	3.60%	3.23%	3.02%	2.59%	2.75%	1.63%	2.57%	2.69%	2.65%	0.09%

Drawdowns

NULC vs. ESGD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NULC drawdown since its inception was -34.86%, roughly equal to the maximum ESGD drawdown of -33.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NULC and ESGD.

Drawdown Indicators

	NULC	ESGD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.86%	-33.70%	-1.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.34%	-11.68%	+0.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.90%	-30.03%	+2.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.44%	-8.42%	+1.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.43%	-6.25%	-0.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.53%	3.03%	-0.50%

Volatility

NULC vs. ESGD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC) is 5.45%, while iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF (ESGD) has a volatility of 7.99%. This indicates that NULC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ESGD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NULC	ESGD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.45%	7.99%	-2.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.13%	11.29%	-1.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.05%	17.75%	+0.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.83%	16.45%	+0.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.83%	16.94%	+2.89%