NUMV vs. NUSC

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

NUMV (Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Value ETF) and NUSC (Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NUMV is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the TIAA ESG USA Mid-Cap Value Index, 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, NUMV returned 7.17%/yr vs 5.06%/yr for NUSC. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NUMV charges 0.31%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for NUSC.

Performance

NUMV vs. NUSC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Value ETF (NUMV) and Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUMV achieves a 9.03% return, which is significantly lower than NUSC's 14.78% return.

NUMV

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 1.21%
• YTD: 9.03%
• 6M: 7.98%
• 1Y: 22.86%
• 3Y*: 16.54%
• 5Y*: 7.17%
• 10Y*: —

NUSC

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 4.25%
• YTD: 14.78%
• 6M: 11.80%
• 1Y: 30.34%
• 3Y*: 14.16%
• 5Y*: 5.06%
• 10Y*: —

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

NUMV vs. NUSC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NUMV Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Value ETF	9.03%	14.05%	12.31%	8.43%	-14.97%	31.15%	0.91%	29.81%	-11.91%	14.70%
NUSC Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF	14.78%	7.72%	8.29%	15.72%	-17.73%	17.51%	23.69%	27.09%	-9.40%	16.50%

Correlation

The correlation between NUMV and NUSC is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2016	0.86

The correlation between NUMV and NUSC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NUMV vs. NUSC — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUMV

NUMV Risk / Return Rank: 55
NUMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
NUMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
NUMV Omega Ratio Rank: 51
NUMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
NUMV Martin Ratio Rank: 58

NUSC

NUSC Risk / Return Rank: 56
NUSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
NUSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
NUSC Omega Ratio Rank: 48
NUSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
NUSC Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

NUMV vs. NUSC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Value ETF (NUMV) 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.

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.

	NUMV	NUSC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	1.75	+0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.65	2.54	+0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.30	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.64	3.02	-0.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.96	10.87	-0.91

NUMV vs. NUSC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUMV Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the NUSC Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUMV and NUSC, 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

NUMV vs. NUSC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUMV drawdown since its inception was -43.46%, roughly equal to the maximum NUSC drawdown of -41.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUMV and NUSC.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUMV	NUSC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.46%	-41.49%	-1.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.71%	-10.10%	+1.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.53%	-26.95%	+7.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.71%	-28.85%	+3.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.88%	-0.10%	-1.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.86%	-8.17%	+1.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.30%	2.80%	-0.50%

Volatility

NUMV vs. NUSC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Value ETF (NUMV) is 3.50%, while Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) has a volatility of 5.06%. This indicates that NUMV 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.

Volatility by Period

	NUMV	NUSC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.50%	5.06%	-1.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.41%	12.68%	-3.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.64%	17.45%	-4.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.37%	21.19%	-3.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.74%	22.34%	-2.60%

NUMV vs. NUSC - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUMV has a 0.31% expense ratio, which is higher than NUSC's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

NUMV vs. NUSC - Dividend Comparison

NUMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.41%, more than NUSC's 0.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NUMV Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Value ETF	1.41%	1.53%	1.81%	2.20%	5.78%	6.62%	1.38%	2.40%	4.01%	0.83%
NUSC Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF	0.91%	1.05%	1.15%	1.11%	1.16%	7.06%	0.52%	0.90%	3.95%	0.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUMV and NUSC in my portfolio?

NUMV and NUSC have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NUMV or NUSC?

NUSC has higher volatility (5.06%) compared to NUMV (3.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUMV dropped -43.46% vs NUSC's -41.49%.

Which ETF is better, NUMV or NUSC?

On 5-year performance, NUMV leads with 7.17% vs 5.06% for NUSC. On fees, NUSC is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, NUMV has been the lower-risk option at 3.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NUMV or NUSC?

Over the 5-year period, NUMV has performed better with a 7.17% return vs 5.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUMV or NUSC?

NUSC is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.31% for NUMV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NUMV or NUSC?

NUMV has the higher dividend yield at 1.41%, compared with 0.91% for NUSC.

What is the main difference between NUMV and NUSC?

NUMV is categorized as Mid Cap Value Equities, while NUSC is Small Cap Growth Equities. NUMV tracks TIAA ESG USA Mid-Cap Value Index, while NUSC tracks MSCI TIAA ESG USA Small Cap. Their fees differ too: 0.31% for NUMV and 0.30% for NUSC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NUMV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 1.75), 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.