NURE vs. NULG

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

NURE (Nuveen Short-Term REIT ETF) and NULG (Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NURE is a REIT fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Short-Term REIT Index, while NULG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap Growth. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NURE returned 1.59%/yr vs 13.22%/yr for NULG. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NURE charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for NULG.

Performance

NURE vs. NULG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Short-Term REIT ETF (NURE) and Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (NULG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with NURE having a 17.55% return and NULG slightly lower at 16.87%.

NURE

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: 1.03%
• 6M: 16.39%
• YTD: 17.55%
• 1Y: 12.40%
• 3Y*: 5.35%
• 5Y*: 1.59%
• 10Y*: —

NULG

• 1D: -1.64%
• 1M: 1.72%
• 6M: 14.82%
• YTD: 16.87%
• 1Y: 21.96%
• 3Y*: 21.70%
• 5Y*: 13.22%
• 10Y*: —

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

NURE vs. NULG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NURE Nuveen Short-Term REIT ETF	17.55%	-7.51%	6.65%	13.09%	-28.48%	53.41%	-7.24%	25.10%	0.02%	8.41%
NULG Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF	16.87%	14.07%	23.75%	42.71%	-28.43%	28.06%	39.58%	39.23%	0.31%	24.57%

Correlation

The correlation between NURE and NULG is 0.07, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2016	0.41

Over the past year, the correlation between NURE and NULG has dropped to 0.07 - well below their long-term average of 0.41, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

NURE vs. NULG — Risk / Return Rank

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

NURE

NURE Risk / Return Rank: 27
NURE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
NURE Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
NURE Omega Ratio Rank: 24
NURE Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
NURE Martin Ratio Rank: 26

NULG

NULG Risk / Return Rank: 40
NULG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
NULG Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
NULG Omega Ratio Rank: 40
NULG Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
NULG Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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.

NURE vs. NULG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Short-Term REIT ETF (NURE) and Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (NULG). 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.

	NURE	NULG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.77	1.19	-0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.20	1.68	-0.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.21	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.36	1.52	-0.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.83	5.09	-2.26

NURE vs. NULG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NURE Sharpe Ratio is 0.77, which is lower than the NULG Sharpe Ratio of 1.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NURE and NULG, 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

NURE vs. NULG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NURE drawdown since its inception was -46.05%, which is greater than NULG's maximum drawdown of -36.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NURE and NULG.

Drawdown Indicators

	NURE	NULG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.05%	-36.17%	-9.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.13%	-14.50%	+5.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.03%	-22.28%	+1.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.98%	-36.17%	+0.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.33%	-2.36%	-4.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.25%	-6.79%	-5.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.39%	4.33%	+0.06%

Volatility

NURE vs. NULG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen Short-Term REIT ETF (NURE) is 4.69%, while Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (NULG) has a volatility of 7.27%. This indicates that NURE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NULG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NURE	NULG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.69%	7.27%	-2.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.61%	15.31%	-3.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.19%	18.62%	-2.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.69%	21.82%	-2.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.75%	21.46%	+0.29%

NURE vs. NULG - Expense Ratio Comparison

NURE has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than NULG's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

NURE vs. NULG - Dividend Comparison

NURE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.06%, more than NULG's 0.10% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
NULG Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF	0.10%	0.11%	0.16%	0.43%	0.40%	5.08%	2.68%	1.10%	3.73%	0.61%	0.00%
NURE Nuveen Short-Term REIT ETF	4.06%	4.56%	3.51%	3.73%	2.80%	1.34%	3.41%	3.28%	4.11%	3.86%	0.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NURE and NULG in my portfolio?

NURE and NULG have a correlation of 0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NURE or NULG?

NULG has higher volatility (7.27%) compared to NURE (4.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NURE dropped -46.05% vs NULG's -36.17%.

Which ETF is better, NURE or NULG?

On 5-year performance, NULG leads with 13.22% vs 1.59% for NURE. On fees, NULG is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, NURE has been the lower-risk option at 4.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NURE or NULG?

Over the 5-year period, NULG has performed better with a 13.22% return vs 1.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NURE or NULG?

NULG is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for NURE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NURE or NULG?

NURE has the higher dividend yield at 4.06%, compared with 0.10% for NULG.

What is the main difference between NURE and NULG?

NURE is categorized as REIT, while NULG is Large Cap Growth Equities. NURE tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Short-Term REIT Index, while NULG tracks MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap Growth. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for NURE and 0.25% for NULG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NULG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.19 vs 0.77), 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.