NULG vs. SGRT

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

NULG (Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF) and SGRT (SMART Earnings Growth 30 ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. NULG is passively managed, while SGRT is actively managed. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NULG charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for SGRT.

Performance

NULG vs. SGRT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (NULG) and SMART Earnings Growth 30 ETF (SGRT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NULG achieves a 16.76% return, which is significantly lower than SGRT's 48.90% return.

NULG

• 1D: -0.39%
• 1M: 8.41%
• YTD: 16.76%
• 6M: 15.85%
• 1Y: 26.42%
• 3Y*: 24.67%
• 5Y*: 14.66%
• 10Y*: —

SGRT

• 1D: -1.69%
• 1M: 9.59%
• YTD: 48.90%
• 6M: 51.74%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NULG vs. SGRT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NULG Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF	16.76%	1.35%
SGRT SMART Earnings Growth 30 ETF	48.90%	25.25%

Correlation

The correlation between NULG and SGRT is 0.69, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 21, 2025	0.69

Return for Risk

NULG vs. SGRT — Risk / Return Rank

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

NULG

NULG Risk / Return Rank: 42
NULG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
NULG Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
NULG Omega Ratio Rank: 44
NULG Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
NULG Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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. SGRT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (NULG) and SMART Earnings Growth 30 ETF (SGRT). 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	SGRT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.56	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.15	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.83	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.22	—	—
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	SGRT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.56	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.90	3.63	-2.74

Drawdowns

NULG vs. SGRT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NULG drawdown since its inception was -36.17%, which is greater than SGRT's maximum drawdown of -17.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NULG and SGRT.

Drawdown Indicators

	NULG	SGRT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.17%	-17.87%	-18.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.50%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.28%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.17%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.99%	-1.69%	+0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.84%	-3.10%	-3.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.26%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	NULG	SGRT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.80%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.55%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.01%	33.40%	-16.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.51%	33.40%	-11.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.39%	33.40%	-12.01%

NULG vs. SGRT - Expense Ratio Comparison

NULG has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than SGRT's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

NULG vs. SGRT - Dividend Comparison

NULG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.10%, less than SGRT's 0.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NULG Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF	0.10%	0.11%	0.16%	0.43%	0.40%	5.08%	2.68%	1.10%	3.73%	0.61%
SGRT SMART Earnings Growth 30 ETF	0.11%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NULG and SGRT in my portfolio?

NULG and SGRT have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, NULG or SGRT?

On fees, NULG is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, NULG or SGRT?

NULG is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for SGRT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NULG or SGRT?

SGRT has the higher dividend yield at 0.11%, compared with 0.10% for NULG.

What is the main difference between NULG and SGRT?

Their fees differ too: 0.25% for NULG and 0.59% for SGRT.