NULV vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NULV (Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NULV is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap Value, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NULV returned 8.48%/yr vs 13.83%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NULV charges 0.26%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

NULV vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF (NULV) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NULV achieves a 12.83% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return.

NULV

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 2.62%
• YTD: 12.83%
• 6M: 13.15%
• 1Y: 26.76%
• 3Y*: 17.26%
• 5Y*: 8.48%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

NULV vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NULV Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF	12.83%	16.31%	11.88%	7.60%	-10.09%	23.46%	1.87%	27.26%	-4.90%	15.67%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between NULV and SPY 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 (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 15, 2016	0.81

The correlation between NULV and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

NULV vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NULV	SPY
Technology	20.1%	35.9%
Financial Services	18.8%	11.8%
Communication Services	13.7%	11.3%
Healthcare	11.6%	8.4%
Industrials	10.2%	7.8%
Consumer Defensive	9.2%	4.8%
Energy	4.1%	3.6%
Consumer Cyclical	4.0%	10.3%
Utilities	3.6%	2.4%
Real Estate	2.7%	1.9%
Basic Materials	2.3%	1.8%

Return for Risk

NULV vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

NULV

NULV Risk / Return Rank: 77
NULV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
NULV Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
NULV Omega Ratio Rank: 76
NULV Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
NULV Martin Ratio Rank: 79

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF (NULV) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.52	2.38	+0.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.62	3.24	+0.38
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.43	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.69	3.16	+0.53
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.52	14.72	+0.81
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. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NULV Sharpe Ratio is 2.52, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NULV and SPY, 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	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.52	2.38	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.82	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.59	+0.01

Drawdowns

NULV vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NULV drawdown since its inception was -36.99%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NULV and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	NULV	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.99%	-55.19%	+18.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.28%	-8.88%	+1.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.07%	-18.76%	+3.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.47%	-24.50%	+3.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.70%	-0.70%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.98%	-9.05%	+4.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.73%	1.91%	-0.18%

Volatility

NULV vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF (NULV) is 2.55%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 2.84%. This indicates that NULV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NULV	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.55%	2.84%	-0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.94%	8.90%	-0.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.67%	11.83%	-1.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.33%	17.05%	-2.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.02%	17.94%	-0.92%

NULV vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

NULV has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% 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. SPY - Dividend Comparison

NULV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.45%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NULV Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Value ETF	1.45%	1.64%	2.09%	2.55%	2.12%	4.52%	1.42%	1.47%	3.73%	1.22%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NULV and SPY in my portfolio?

NULV and SPY 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 SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (2.84%) compared to NULV (2.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NULV dropped -36.99% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, NULV or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 13.83% vs 8.48% for NULV. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, NULV has been the lower-risk option at 2.55%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NULV or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 13.83% return vs 8.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NULV or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.26% for NULV.

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

NULV has the higher dividend yield at 1.45%, compared with 0.98% for SPY.

What is the main difference between NULV and SPY?

NULV is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. NULV tracks MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap Value, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.26% for NULV and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NULV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.38), 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.