NULC vs. OUSA

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

NULC (Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF) and OUSA (OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - NULC tracks the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap while OUSA tracks the O'Shares US Quality Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NULC returned 10.62%/yr vs 8.53%/yr for OUSA. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NULC charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.48%/yr for OUSA.

Performance

NULC vs. OUSA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC) and OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF (OUSA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NULC achieves a 11.42% return, which is significantly higher than OUSA's 0.48% return.

NULC

• 1D: -1.16%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 11.42%
• 6M: 10.52%
• 1Y: 24.81%
• 3Y*: 19.66%
• 5Y*: 10.62%
• 10Y*: —

OUSA

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: -2.32%
• YTD: 0.48%
• 6M: -0.06%
• 1Y: 10.34%
• 3Y*: 11.93%
• 5Y*: 8.53%
• 10Y*: 10.19%

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

NULC vs. OUSA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
NULC Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF	11.42%	16.29%	18.71%	22.54%	-20.18%	25.69%	22.51%	6.17%
OUSA OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF	0.48%	10.23%	17.09%	13.44%	-9.33%	23.75%	6.96%	14.22%

Correlation

The correlation between NULC and OUSA is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 2019	0.84

Over the past year, the correlation between NULC and OUSA has dropped to 0.62 - well below their long-term average of 0.84, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

NULC vs. OUSA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NULC	OUSA
Technology	30.1%	26.1%
Financial Services	17.1%	18.0%
Healthcare	10.6%	13.8%
Industrials	9.5%	11.2%
Communication Services	9.2%	10.9%
Consumer Cyclical	7.6%	12.7%
Consumer Defensive	5.8%	7.3%
Energy	3.4%	-
Utilities	2.2%	-
Real Estate	2.2%	-
Basic Materials	2.1%	-

Return for Risk

NULC vs. OUSA — Risk / Return Rank

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

NULC

NULC Risk / Return Rank: 61
NULC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
NULC Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
NULC Omega Ratio Rank: 57
NULC Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
NULC Martin Ratio Rank: 68

OUSA

OUSA Risk / Return Rank: 29
OUSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
OUSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
OUSA Omega Ratio Rank: 28
OUSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
OUSA Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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. OUSA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC) and OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF (OUSA). 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.

	NULC	OUSA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	1.06	+0.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.56	1.60	+0.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.19	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.80	1.24	+1.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.61	4.37	+7.24

NULC vs. OUSA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NULC Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is higher than the OUSA Sharpe Ratio of 1.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NULC and OUSA, 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

NULC vs. OUSA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NULC drawdown since its inception was -34.86%, which is greater than OUSA's maximum drawdown of -33.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NULC and OUSA.

Drawdown Indicators

	NULC	OUSA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.86%	-33.12%	-1.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.91%	-8.36%	-0.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.53%	-13.14%	-5.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.90%	-19.54%	-8.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.91%	-3.14%	+0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.42%	-3.52%	-2.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.14%	2.37%	-0.23%

Volatility

NULC vs. OUSA - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC) has a higher volatility of 5.02% compared to OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF (OUSA) at 2.92%. This indicates that NULC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than OUSA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NULC	OUSA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.02%	2.92%	+2.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.57%	7.42%	+3.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.34%	9.82%	+3.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.95%	13.31%	+3.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.98%	15.17%	+4.81%

NULC vs. OUSA - Expense Ratio Comparison

NULC has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than OUSA's 0.48% expense ratio.

Dividends

NULC vs. OUSA - Dividend Comparison

NULC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.13%, more than OUSA's 1.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NULC Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF	9.13%	10.17%	1.86%	1.32%	2.37%	6.14%	4.07%	0.77%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
OUSA OShares U.S. Quality Dividend ETF	1.43%	1.39%	1.50%	1.81%	1.92%	1.56%	2.03%	2.31%	3.06%	2.15%	2.32%	1.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NULC and OUSA in my portfolio?

NULC and OUSA have a correlation of 0.62, 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 OUSA?

NULC has higher volatility (5.02%) compared to OUSA (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NULC dropped -34.86% vs OUSA's -33.12%.

Which ETF is better, NULC or OUSA?

On 5-year performance, NULC leads with 10.62% vs 8.53% for OUSA. On fees, NULC is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, OUSA has been the lower-risk option at 2.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NULC or OUSA?

Over the 5-year period, NULC has performed better with a 10.62% return vs 8.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NULC or OUSA?

NULC is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for OUSA.

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

NULC has the higher dividend yield at 9.13%, compared with 1.43% for OUSA.

What is the main difference between NULC and OUSA?

NULC tracks MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap, while OUSA tracks O'Shares US Quality Dividend Index. They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and O'Shares Investments. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for NULC and 0.48% for OUSA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NULC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 1.06), 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.