NUMV vs. VFIAX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

NUMV (Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Value ETF) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - NUMV is a Mid Cap Value Equities fund tracking the TIAA ESG USA Mid-Cap Value Index, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NUMV returned 7.17%/yr vs 14.06%/yr for VFIAX. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NUMV charges 0.31%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VFIAX.

Performance

NUMV vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Value ETF (NUMV) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). 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 VFIAX's 10.17% return.

NUMV

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

VFIAX

• 1D: 1.09%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: 10.17%
• 6M: 9.67%
• 1Y: 27.15%
• 3Y*: 20.95%
• 5Y*: 14.06%
• 10Y*: 15.54%

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

NUMV vs. VFIAX - 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%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	10.17%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between NUMV and VFIAX is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2016	0.76

The correlation between NUMV and VFIAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (1 year) to 0.80 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

NUMV vs. VFIAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NUMV	VFIAX
Financial Services	18.0%	10.9%
Technology	17.3%	39.1%
Industrials	12.9%	7.6%
Real Estate	8.6%	1.8%
Healthcare	8.4%	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	8.1%	4.5%
Consumer Cyclical	7.9%	9.8%
Utilities	6.3%	2.5%
Communication Services	5.4%	10.5%
Basic Materials	4.7%	1.7%
Energy	2.3%	3.2%

Return for Risk

NUMV vs. VFIAX — 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

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 66
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Value ETF (NUMV) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). 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	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	2.17	-0.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.65	2.93	-0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.39	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.64	3.03	-0.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.96	13.72	-3.76

NUMV vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUMV Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUMV and VFIAX, 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. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUMV drawdown since its inception was -43.46%, smaller than the maximum VFIAX drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUMV and VFIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUMV	VFIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.46%	-55.20%	+11.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.71%	-8.90%	+0.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.53%	-18.75%	-0.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.71%	-24.53%	-1.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.83%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.88%	-1.36%	-0.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.86%	-9.38%	+2.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.30%	1.96%	+0.34%

Volatility

NUMV vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Value ETF (NUMV) is 3.50%, while Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) has a volatility of 4.77%. This indicates that NUMV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUMV	VFIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.50%	4.77%	-1.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.41%	9.91%	-0.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.64%	12.47%	+0.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.37%	17.00%	+0.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.74%	18.11%	+1.63%

NUMV vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUMV has a 0.31% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIAX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

NUMV vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

NUMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.41%, more than VFIAX's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%	0.00%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.03%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUMV and VFIAX in my portfolio?

NUMV and VFIAX have a correlation of 0.64, 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 VFIAX?

VFIAX has higher volatility (4.77%) compared to NUMV (3.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUMV dropped -43.46% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 1.82), 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.