NUMV vs. SDY

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

NUMV (Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Value ETF) and SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds - NUMV tracks the TIAA ESG USA Mid-Cap Value Index while SDY tracks the S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NUMV returned 7.00%/yr vs 6.95%/yr for SDY. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NUMV charges 0.31%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for SDY.

Performance

NUMV vs. SDY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Value ETF (NUMV) and SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY). 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 NUMV having a 9.74% return and SDY slightly higher at 10.00%.

NUMV

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 1.87%
• YTD: 9.74%
• 6M: 8.49%
• 1Y: 21.46%
• 3Y*: 16.80%
• 5Y*: 7.00%
• 10Y*: —

SDY

• 1D: 0.78%
• 1M: 1.46%
• YTD: 10.00%
• 6M: 9.06%
• 1Y: 14.84%
• 3Y*: 11.12%
• 5Y*: 6.95%
• 10Y*: 9.64%

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

NUMV vs. SDY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NUMV Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Value ETF	9.74%	14.05%	12.31%	8.43%	-14.97%	31.15%	0.91%	29.81%	-11.91%	14.70%
SDY SPDR S&P Dividend ETF	10.00%	8.18%	8.45%	2.61%	-0.54%	25.32%	1.71%	23.29%	-2.74%	15.82%

Correlation

The correlation between NUMV and SDY is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2016	0.86

The correlation between NUMV and SDY shifts across timeframes, from 0.80 (1 year) to 0.90 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

NUMV vs. SDY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NUMV	SDY
Financial Services	18.0%	11.9%
Technology	17.3%	11.8%
Industrials	12.9%	17.1%
Real Estate	8.6%	4.4%
Healthcare	8.4%	7.4%
Consumer Defensive	8.1%	16.1%
Consumer Cyclical	7.9%	5.9%
Utilities	6.3%	14.0%
Communication Services	5.4%	2.5%
Basic Materials	4.7%	5.9%
Energy	2.3%	3.0%

Return for Risk

NUMV vs. SDY — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUMV

NUMV Risk / Return Rank: 57
NUMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
NUMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
NUMV Omega Ratio Rank: 53
NUMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
NUMV Martin Ratio Rank: 60

SDY

SDY Risk / Return Rank: 43
SDY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
SDY Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
SDY Omega Ratio Rank: 41
SDY Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
SDY Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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. SDY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Value ETF (NUMV) and SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY). 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	SDY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.71	1.43	+0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	2.18	+0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.25	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.48	1.94	+0.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.34	5.22	+4.11

NUMV vs. SDY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUMV Sharpe Ratio is 1.71, which is comparable to the SDY Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUMV and SDY, 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. SDY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUMV drawdown since its inception was -43.46%, smaller than the maximum SDY drawdown of -54.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUMV and SDY.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUMV	SDY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.46%	-54.75%	+11.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.71%	-7.67%	-1.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.53%	-14.39%	-5.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.71%	-15.21%	-10.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.23%	-1.83%	+0.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.85%	-6.20%	-0.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.30%	2.85%	-0.55%

Volatility

NUMV vs. SDY - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Value ETF (NUMV) has a higher volatility of 3.44% compared to SPDR S&P Dividend ETF (SDY) at 3.07%. This indicates that NUMV's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SDY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUMV	SDY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.44%	3.07%	+0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.41%	7.57%	+1.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.59%	10.42%	+2.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.37%	13.99%	+3.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.73%	17.07%	+2.66%

NUMV vs. SDY - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUMV has a 0.31% expense ratio, which is lower than SDY's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

NUMV vs. SDY - Dividend Comparison

NUMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.40%, less than SDY's 2.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NUMV Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Value ETF	1.40%	1.53%	1.81%	2.20%	5.78%	6.62%	1.38%	2.40%	4.01%	0.83%	0.00%	0.00%
SDY SPDR S&P Dividend ETF	2.47%	2.61%	2.56%	2.64%	2.55%	2.63%	2.85%	2.45%	2.73%	4.69%	3.30%	6.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUMV and SDY in my portfolio?

NUMV and SDY have a correlation of 0.80, 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 SDY?

NUMV has higher volatility (3.44%) compared to SDY (3.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUMV dropped -43.46% vs SDY's -54.75%.

Which ETF is better, NUMV or SDY?

On 5-year performance, NUMV leads with 7.00% vs 6.95% for SDY. On fees, NUMV is cheaper at 0.31% per year. On volatility, SDY has been the lower-risk option at 3.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NUMV or SDY?

Over the 5-year period, NUMV has performed better with a 7.00% return vs 6.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUMV or SDY?

NUMV is cheaper with a 0.31% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for SDY.

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

SDY has the higher dividend yield at 2.47%, compared with 1.40% for NUMV.

What is the main difference between NUMV and SDY?

NUMV tracks TIAA ESG USA Mid-Cap Value Index, while SDY tracks S&P High Yield Dividend Aristocrats Index. They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.31% for NUMV and 0.35% for SDY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NUMV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs 1.43), 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.