NULV vs. NULC

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

NULV (Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF) and NULC (Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NULV is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap Value, while NULC is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NULV returned 8.68%/yr vs 11.42%/yr for NULC. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NULV charges 0.26%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for NULC.

Performance

NULV vs. NULC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF (NULV) and Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC). 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 13.87% return and NULC slightly higher at 14.17%.

NULV

• 1D: 0.92%
• 1M: 2.54%
• YTD: 13.87%
• 6M: 14.07%
• 1Y: 28.31%
• 3Y*: 17.85%
• 5Y*: 8.68%
• 10Y*: —

NULC

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 5.15%
• YTD: 14.17%
• 6M: 14.22%
• 1Y: 26.89%
• 3Y*: 21.40%
• 5Y*: 11.42%
• 10Y*: —

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

NULV vs. NULC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
NULV Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF	13.87%	16.31%	11.88%	7.60%	-10.09%	23.46%	1.87%	14.16%
NULC Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF	14.17%	16.29%	18.71%	22.54%	-20.18%	25.69%	22.51%	16.89%

Correlation

The correlation between NULV and NULC is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2019	0.84

The correlation between NULV and NULC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

NULV vs. NULC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NULV	NULC
Technology	20.1%	36.2%
Financial Services	18.8%	13.4%
Communication Services	13.7%	10.9%
Healthcare	11.6%	8.7%
Industrials	10.2%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	9.2%	6.0%
Energy	4.1%	2.4%
Consumer Cyclical	4.0%	8.0%
Utilities	3.6%	2.0%
Real Estate	2.7%	2.3%
Basic Materials	2.3%	1.7%

Return for Risk

NULV vs. NULC — Risk / Return Rank

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

NULV

NULV Risk / Return Rank: 82
NULV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
NULV Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
NULV Omega Ratio Rank: 81
NULV Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
NULV Martin Ratio Rank: 82

NULC

NULC Risk / Return Rank: 65
NULC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
NULC Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
NULC Omega Ratio Rank: 62
NULC Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
NULC Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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. NULC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF (NULV) and Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC). 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.

	NULV	NULC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.66	2.11	+0.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.81	2.91	+0.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.37	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.91	3.03	+0.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.42	13.04	+3.38
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NULV vs. NULC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NULV Sharpe Ratio is 2.66, which is comparable to the NULC Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NULV and NULC, 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

	NULV	NULC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.66	2.11	+0.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	0.68	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.61	0.80	-0.19

Drawdowns

NULV vs. NULC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NULV drawdown since its inception was -36.99%, which is greater than NULC's maximum drawdown of -34.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NULV and NULC.

Drawdown Indicators

	NULV	NULC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.99%	-34.86%	-2.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.28%	-8.91%	+1.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.07%	-18.53%	+3.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.47%	-27.90%	+6.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.51%	+0.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.97%	-6.29%	+1.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.73%	2.07%	-0.34%

Volatility

NULV vs. NULC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF (NULV) is 2.52%, while Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC) has a volatility of 3.28%. This indicates that NULV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NULC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NULV	NULC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.52%	3.28%	-0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.98%	9.89%	-1.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.68%	12.78%	-2.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.33%	16.85%	-2.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.02%	19.68%	-2.66%

NULV vs. NULC - Expense Ratio Comparison

NULV has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is higher than NULC's 0.20% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

NULV vs. NULC - Dividend Comparison

NULV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.44%, less than NULC's 8.91% 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%
NULV Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF	1.44%	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 NULC in my portfolio?

NULV and NULC have a correlation of 0.79, 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 NULC?

NULC has higher volatility (3.28%) compared to NULV (2.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NULV dropped -36.99% vs NULC's -34.86%.

Which ETF is better, NULV or NULC?

On 5-year performance, NULC leads with 11.42% vs 8.68% for NULV. On fees, NULC is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, NULV has been the lower-risk option at 2.52%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NULV or NULC?

Over the 5-year period, NULC has performed better with a 11.42% return vs 8.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NULV or NULC?

NULC is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.26% for NULV.

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

NULC has the higher dividend yield at 8.91%, compared with 1.44% for NULV.

What is the main difference between NULV and NULC?

NULV is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while NULC is Large Cap Growth Equities. NULV tracks MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap Value, while NULC tracks MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap. Their fees differ too: 0.26% for NULV and 0.20% for NULC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NULV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.66 vs 2.11), 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.