NULV vs. BGIG

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

NULV (Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF) and BGIG (Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. NULV is passively managed, while BGIG is actively managed. Over the past year, NULV returned 22.85% vs 20.71% for BGIG. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NULV charges 0.26%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for BGIG.

Performance

NULV vs. BGIG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF (NULV) and Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth ETF (BGIG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with NULV having a 10.72% return and BGIG slightly higher at 10.74%.

NULV

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: -2.04%
• YTD: 10.72%
• 6M: 9.48%
• 1Y: 22.85%
• 3Y*: 16.18%
• 5Y*: 8.42%
• 10Y*: —

BGIG

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 1.00%
• YTD: 10.74%
• 6M: 9.91%
• 1Y: 20.71%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NULV vs. BGIG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
NULV Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF	10.72%	16.31%	11.88%	4.88%
BGIG Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth ETF	10.74%	12.49%	16.84%	3.57%

Correlation

The correlation between NULV and BGIG is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 15, 2023	0.83

The correlation between NULV and BGIG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

NULV vs. BGIG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NULV	BGIG
Financial Services	21.0%	14.4%
Healthcare	14.6%	15.2%
Technology	13.4%	25.7%
Industrials	12.0%	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	10.2%	6.8%
Consumer Cyclical	5.7%	4.8%
Utilities	5.3%	7.2%
Communication Services	5.1%	0.8%
Energy	4.6%	10.2%
Real Estate	3.7%	3.8%
Basic Materials	3.2%	0.6%

Return for Risk

NULV vs. BGIG — Risk / Return Rank

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

NULV

NULV Risk / Return Rank: 75
NULV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
NULV Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
NULV Omega Ratio Rank: 74
NULV Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
NULV Martin Ratio Rank: 76

BGIG

BGIG Risk / Return Rank: 81
BGIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
BGIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
BGIG Omega Ratio Rank: 80
BGIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
BGIG Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

NULV vs. BGIG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF (NULV) and Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth ETF (BGIG). 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.

	NULV	BGIG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.12	2.32	-0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.01	3.31	-0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.42	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.15	3.58	-0.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.72	13.82	-1.10

NULV vs. BGIG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NULV Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is comparable to the BGIG Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NULV and BGIG, 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

NULV vs. BGIG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NULV drawdown since its inception was -36.99%, which is greater than BGIG's maximum drawdown of -13.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NULV and BGIG.

Drawdown Indicators

	NULV	BGIG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.99%	-13.24%	-23.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.28%	-5.81%	-1.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.07%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.47%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.77%	-0.08%	-2.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.96%	-1.74%	-3.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.80%	1.50%	+0.30%

Volatility

NULV vs. BGIG - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF (NULV) has a higher volatility of 3.28% compared to Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth ETF (BGIG) at 2.36%. This indicates that NULV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BGIG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NULV	BGIG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.28%	2.36%	+0.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.28%	6.72%	+1.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.84%	9.02%	+1.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.32%	11.88%	+2.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.99%	11.88%	+5.11%

NULV vs. BGIG - Expense Ratio Comparison

NULV has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is lower than BGIG's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

NULV vs. BGIG - Dividend Comparison

NULV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.48%, less than BGIG's 1.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BGIG Bahl & Gaynor Income Growth ETF	1.73%	1.89%	2.02%	0.78%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NULV Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF	1.48%	1.64%	2.09%	2.55%	2.12%	4.52%	1.42%	1.47%	3.73%	1.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NULV and BGIG in my portfolio?

NULV and BGIG have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NULV or BGIG?

NULV has higher volatility (3.28%) compared to BGIG (2.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NULV dropped -36.99% vs BGIG's -13.24%.

Which ETF is better, NULV or BGIG?

On 1-year performance, NULV leads with 22.85% vs 20.71% for BGIG. On fees, NULV is cheaper at 0.26% per year. On volatility, BGIG has been the lower-risk option at 2.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NULV or BGIG?

Over the 1-year period, NULV has performed better with a 22.85% return vs 20.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NULV or BGIG?

NULV is cheaper with a 0.26% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for BGIG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NULV or BGIG?

BGIG has the higher dividend yield at 1.73%, compared with 1.48% for NULV.

What is the main difference between NULV and BGIG?

They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and Bahl & Gaynor. Their fees differ too: 0.26% for NULV and 0.45% for BGIG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BGIG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 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.