NULC vs. NUMG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NULC (Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF) and NUMG (Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NULC is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap, while NUMG is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Mid Cap Growth. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NULC returned 11.41%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for NUMG. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NULC charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for NUMG.

Performance

NULC vs. NUMG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC) and Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF (NUMG). 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 higher than NUMG's -0.40% return.

NULC

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

NUMG

• 1D: -1.63%
• 1M: 5.76%
• YTD: -0.40%
• 6M: 0.31%
• 1Y: -0.49%
• 3Y*: 8.47%
• 5Y*: 0.99%
• 10Y*: —

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

NULC vs. NUMG - 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%	16.89%
NUMG Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF	-0.40%	0.78%	11.99%	20.47%	-28.31%	12.27%	45.73%	11.43%

Correlation

The correlation between NULC and NUMG is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2019	0.88

The correlation between NULC and NUMG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

NULC vs. NUMG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NULC	NUMG
Technology	36.2%	28.7%
Financial Services	13.4%	6.5%
Communication Services	10.9%	5.2%
Healthcare	8.7%	13.9%
Industrials	8.4%	26.5%
Consumer Cyclical	8.0%	11.8%
Consumer Defensive	6.0%	-
Energy	2.4%	-
Real Estate	2.3%	3.7%
Utilities	2.0%	1.4%
Basic Materials	1.7%	2.3%

Return for Risk

NULC vs. NUMG — 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

NUMG

NUMG Risk / Return Rank: 8
NUMG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8
NUMG Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
NUMG Omega Ratio Rank: 8
NUMG Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
NUMG Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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. NUMG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC) and Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF (NUMG). 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	NUMG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.12	-0.03	+2.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	0.09	+2.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.01	+0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.04	-0.03	+3.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.07	-0.06	+13.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NULC vs. NUMG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NULC Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is higher than the NUMG Sharpe Ratio of -0.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NULC and NUMG, 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	NUMG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.12	-0.03	+2.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	0.04	+0.64
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.44	+0.36

Drawdowns

NULC vs. NUMG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NULC drawdown since its inception was -34.86%, smaller than the maximum NUMG drawdown of -38.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NULC and NUMG.

Drawdown Indicators

	NULC	NUMG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.86%	-38.85%	+3.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.91%	-19.71%	+10.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.53%	-26.58%	+8.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.90%	-38.85%	+10.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.57%	-9.34%	+8.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.30%	-11.37%	+5.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.07%	7.59%	-5.52%

Volatility

NULC vs. NUMG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC) is 3.29%, while Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF (NUMG) has a volatility of 4.75%. This indicates that NULC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NUMG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NULC	NUMG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.29%	4.75%	-1.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.90%	14.59%	-4.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.80%	18.18%	-5.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.85%	22.86%	-6.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.68%	21.87%	-2.19%

NULC vs. NUMG - Expense Ratio Comparison

NULC has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than NUMG's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

NULC vs. NUMG - Dividend Comparison

NULC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.91%, more than NUMG's 0.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NULC Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF	8.91%	10.17%	1.86%	1.32%	2.37%	6.14%	4.07%	0.77%	0.00%	0.00%
NUMG Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF	0.01%	0.01%	0.06%	0.18%	0.18%	12.76%	3.82%	0.27%	5.14%	0.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NULC and NUMG in my portfolio?

NULC and NUMG have a correlation of 0.82, 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 NUMG?

NUMG has higher volatility (4.75%) compared to NULC (3.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NULC dropped -34.86% vs NUMG's -38.85%.

Which ETF is better, NULC or NUMG?

On 5-year performance, NULC leads with 11.41% vs 0.99% for NUMG. 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 NUMG?

Over the 5-year period, NULC has performed better with a 11.41% return vs 0.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NULC or NUMG?

NULC is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for NUMG.

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

NULC has the higher dividend yield at 8.91%, compared with 0.01% for NUMG.

What is the main difference between NULC and NUMG?

NULC is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while NUMG is Mid Cap Growth Equities. NULC tracks MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap, while NUMG tracks MSCI TIAA ESG USA Mid Cap Growth. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for NULC and 0.30% for NUMG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NULC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs -0.03), 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.