NULV vs. NUSC
NULV (Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF) and NUSC (Nuveen ESG Small-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 NUSC is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Small Cap. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NULV returned 8.68%/yr vs 4.87%/yr for NUSC. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NULV charges 0.26%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for NUSC.
Performance
NULV vs. NUSC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with NULV having a 13.87% return and NUSC slightly higher at 13.93%.
NULV
- 1D
- 0.92%
- 1M
- 2.54%
- YTD
- 13.87%
- 6M
- 14.07%
- 1Y
- 28.31%
- 3Y*
- 17.85%
- 5Y*
- 8.68%
- 10Y*
- —
NUSC
- 1D
- 0.93%
- 1M
- 3.29%
- YTD
- 13.93%
- 6M
- 13.54%
- 1Y
- 28.92%
- 3Y*
- 14.10%
- 5Y*
- 4.87%
- 10Y*
- —
NULV vs. NUSC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NULV Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF | 13.87% | 16.31% | 11.88% | 7.60% | -10.09% | 23.46% | 1.87% | 27.26% | -4.90% | 15.67% |
NUSC Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF | 13.93% | 7.72% | 8.29% | 15.72% | -17.73% | 17.51% | 23.69% | 27.09% | -9.40% | 16.50% |
Correlation
The correlation between NULV and NUSC is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.85 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.84 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.84 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 15, 2016 | 0.81 |
The correlation between NULV and NUSC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
NULV vs. NUSC — Risk / Return Rank
NULV
NUSC
NULV vs. NUSC - 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 Small-Cap ETF (NUSC). 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 | NUSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.96 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.32 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.48 | 1.29 | +0.19 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.91 | 2.88 | +1.03 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 16.42 | 10.35 | +6.07 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| NULV | NUSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.66 | 1.70 | +0.96 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.61 | 0.23 | +0.38 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.61 | 0.45 | +0.16 |
Drawdowns
NULV vs. NUSC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum NULV drawdown since its inception was -36.99%, smaller than the maximum NUSC drawdown of -41.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NULV and NUSC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| NULV | NUSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -36.99% | -41.49% | +4.50% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.28% | -10.10% | +2.82% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.07% | -26.95% | +11.88% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -21.47% | -28.85% | +7.38% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.97% | -8.21% | +3.24% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.73% | 2.80% | -1.07% |
Volatility
NULV vs. NUSC - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF (NULV) is 2.52%, while Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) has a volatility of 4.39%. This indicates that NULV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NUSC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| NULV | NUSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.52% | 4.39% | -1.87% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.98% | 12.19% | -4.21% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.68% | 17.08% | -6.40% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.33% | 21.15% | -6.82% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.02% | 22.35% | -5.33% |
NULV vs. NUSC - Expense Ratio Comparison
NULV has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is lower than NUSC's 0.30% expense ratio.
Dividends
NULV vs. NUSC - Dividend Comparison
NULV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.44%, more than NUSC's 0.92% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
NUSC Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF | 0.92% | 1.05% | 1.15% | 1.11% | 1.16% | 7.06% | 0.52% | 0.90% | 3.95% | 0.94% |
Frequently Asked Questions
NULV and NUSC have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NUSC has higher volatility (4.39%) compared to NULV (2.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NULV dropped -36.99% vs NUSC's -41.49%.
On 5-year performance, NULV leads with 8.68% vs 4.87% for NUSC. On fees, NULV is cheaper at 0.26% 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.
Over the 5-year period, NULV has performed better with a 8.68% return vs 4.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
NULV is cheaper with a 0.26% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for NUSC.
NULV has the higher dividend yield at 1.44%, compared with 0.92% for NUSC.
NULV is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while NUSC is Small Cap Growth Equities. NULV tracks MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap Value, while NUSC tracks MSCI TIAA ESG USA Small Cap. Their fees differ too: 0.26% for NULV and 0.30% for NUSC.
NULV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.66 vs 1.70), 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.
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