NULC vs. HLAL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NULC (Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF) and HLAL (Wahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - NULC tracks the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap while HLAL tracks the FTSE Shariah USA Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NULC returned 11.41%/yr vs 15.86%/yr for HLAL. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NULC charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for HLAL.

Performance

NULC vs. HLAL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC) and Wahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF (HLAL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NULC achieves a 14.11% return, which is significantly lower than HLAL's 18.72% return.

NULC

• 1D: -0.57%
• 1M: 5.76%
• YTD: 14.11%
• 6M: 14.35%
• 1Y: 26.94%
• 3Y*: 21.23%
• 5Y*: 11.41%
• 10Y*: —

HLAL

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 9.45%
• YTD: 18.72%
• 6M: 17.75%
• 1Y: 43.63%
• 3Y*: 22.04%
• 5Y*: 15.86%
• 10Y*: —

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

NULC vs. HLAL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
NULC Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF	14.11%	16.29%	18.71%	22.54%	-20.18%	25.69%	22.51%	9.29%
HLAL Wahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF	18.72%	18.30%	16.70%	30.13%	-17.56%	28.64%	24.65%	10.96%

Correlation

The correlation between NULC and HLAL is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 17, 2019	0.91

The correlation between NULC and HLAL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

NULC vs. HLAL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NULC	HLAL
Technology	36.2%	50.4%
Financial Services	13.4%	0.0%
Communication Services	10.9%	16.7%
Healthcare	8.7%	10.5%
Industrials	8.4%	4.6%
Consumer Cyclical	8.0%	5.6%
Consumer Defensive	6.0%	2.9%
Energy	2.4%	4.5%
Real Estate	2.3%	0.8%
Utilities	2.0%	1.0%
Basic Materials	1.7%	2.5%

Return for Risk

NULC vs. HLAL — Risk / Return Rank

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

NULC

NULC Risk / Return Rank: 64
NULC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
NULC Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
NULC Omega Ratio Rank: 61
NULC Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
NULC Martin Ratio Rank: 70

HLAL

HLAL Risk / Return Rank: 88
HLAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
HLAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
HLAL Omega Ratio Rank: 90
HLAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
HLAL Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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. HLAL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC) and Wahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF (HLAL). 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	HLAL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.12	3.33	-1.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	4.62	-1.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.59	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.04	4.30	-1.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.07	19.85	-6.77
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. HLAL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NULC Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is lower than the HLAL Sharpe Ratio of 3.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NULC and HLAL, 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

	NULC	HLAL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.12	3.33	-1.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	0.91	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.89	-0.09

Drawdowns

NULC vs. HLAL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NULC drawdown since its inception was -34.86%, roughly equal to the maximum HLAL drawdown of -33.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NULC and HLAL.

Drawdown Indicators

	NULC	HLAL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.86%	-33.57%	-1.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.91%	-10.20%	+1.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.53%	-21.67%	+3.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.90%	-23.18%	-4.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.57%	-0.07%	-0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.30%	-5.00%	-1.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.07%	2.20%	-0.13%

Volatility

NULC vs. HLAL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC) is 3.29%, while Wahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF (HLAL) has a volatility of 3.70%. This indicates that NULC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HLAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NULC	HLAL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.29%	3.70%	-0.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.90%	9.95%	-0.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.80%	13.17%	-0.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.85%	17.60%	-0.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.68%	20.21%	-0.53%

NULC vs. HLAL - Expense Ratio Comparison

NULC has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than HLAL's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

NULC vs. HLAL - Dividend Comparison

NULC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.91%, more than HLAL's 0.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
HLAL Wahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF	0.44%	0.53%	0.58%	0.72%	1.15%	0.78%	0.97%	0.72%
NULC Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF	8.91%	10.17%	1.86%	1.32%	2.37%	6.14%	4.07%	0.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NULC and HLAL in my portfolio?

NULC and HLAL have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NULC or HLAL?

HLAL has higher volatility (3.70%) compared to NULC (3.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NULC dropped -34.86% vs HLAL's -33.57%.

Which ETF is better, NULC or HLAL?

On 5-year performance, HLAL leads with 15.86% vs 11.41% for NULC. On fees, NULC is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, NULC has been the lower-risk option at 3.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NULC or HLAL?

Over the 5-year period, HLAL has performed better with a 15.86% return vs 11.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NULC or HLAL?

NULC is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for HLAL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NULC or HLAL?

NULC has the higher dividend yield at 8.91%, compared with 0.44% for HLAL.

What is the main difference between NULC and HLAL?

NULC tracks MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap, while HLAL tracks FTSE Shariah USA Index. They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and Wahed. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for NULC and 0.50% for HLAL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HLAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.33 vs 2.12), 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.