NULG vs. GQGU

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (NULG) and GQG US Equity ETF (GQGU).

NULG and GQGU are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. NULG is a passively managed fund by Nuveen that tracks the performance of the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap Growth. It was launched on Dec 13, 2016. GQGU is an actively managed fund by GQG Partners. It was launched on Jul 14, 2025.

Performance

NULG vs. GQGU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (NULG) and GQG US Equity ETF (GQGU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

NULG vs. GQGU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NULG Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF	-6.02%	3.91%
GQGU GQG US Equity ETF	8.19%	-1.14%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NULG achieves a -6.02% return, which is significantly lower than GQGU's 8.19% return.

NULG

• 1D: 1.07%
• 1M: -3.86%
• YTD: -6.02%
• 6M: -7.41%
• 1Y: 16.64%
• 3Y*: 18.42%
• 5Y*: 10.62%
• 10Y*: —

GQGU

• 1D: -1.30%
• 1M: -3.10%
• YTD: 8.19%
• 6M: 6.64%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NULG vs. GQGU - Expense Ratio Comparison

NULG has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than GQGU's 0.49% expense ratio.

GQGU

GQG US Equity ETF

NULG

Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF

Return for Risk

NULG vs. GQGU — Risk / Return Rank

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

NULG

NULG Risk / Return Rank: 41
NULG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
NULG Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
NULG Omega Ratio Rank: 39
NULG Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
NULG Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

NULG vs. GQGU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (NULG) and GQG US Equity ETF (GQGU). 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.

	NULG	GQGU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.75	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.22	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.21	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	4.06	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NULG	GQGU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.78	1.02	-0.24

Correlation

The correlation between NULG and GQGU is -0.20. This indicates that the assets' prices tend to move in opposite directions. Negative correlation can be particularly beneficial for diversification and risk management, as one asset may offset the losses of the other during market fluctuations.

Dividends

NULG vs. GQGU - Dividend Comparison

NULG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.12%, less than GQGU's 0.94% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NULG Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF	0.12%	0.11%	0.16%	0.43%	0.40%	5.08%	2.68%	1.10%	3.73%	0.61%
GQGU GQG US Equity ETF	0.94%	1.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

NULG vs. GQGU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NULG drawdown since its inception was -36.17%, which is greater than GQGU's maximum drawdown of -6.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NULG and GQGU.

Drawdown Indicators

	NULG	GQGU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.17%	-6.65%	-29.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.50%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.17%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.24%	-3.24%	-7.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.94%	-2.21%	-4.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.33%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	NULG	GQGU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.14%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.56%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.25%	9.66%	+12.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.46%	9.66%	+11.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.46%	9.66%	+11.80%