NURE vs. NUSC

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

NURE (Nuveen Short-Term REIT ETF) and NUSC (Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NURE is a REIT fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Short-Term REIT 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, NURE returned 1.78%/yr vs 4.65%/yr for NUSC. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NURE charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for NUSC.

Performance

NURE vs. NUSC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Short-Term REIT ETF (NURE) 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, NURE achieves a 14.93% return, which is significantly higher than NUSC's 13.66% return.

NURE

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: 4.01%
• YTD: 14.93%
• 6M: 15.97%
• 1Y: 10.47%
• 3Y*: 7.27%
• 5Y*: 1.78%
• 10Y*: —

NUSC

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: 3.23%
• YTD: 13.66%
• 6M: 11.49%
• 1Y: 28.10%
• 3Y*: 13.78%
• 5Y*: 4.65%
• 10Y*: —

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

NURE vs. NUSC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NURE Nuveen Short-Term REIT ETF	14.93%	-7.51%	6.65%	13.09%	-28.48%	53.41%	-7.24%	25.10%	0.02%	8.41%
NUSC Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF	13.66%	7.72%	8.29%	15.72%	-17.73%	17.51%	23.69%	27.09%	-9.40%	16.50%

Correlation

The correlation between NURE and NUSC is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2016	0.58

The correlation between NURE and NUSC shifts across timeframes, from 0.53 (1 year) to 0.66 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NURE vs. NUSC — Risk / Return Rank

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

NURE

NURE Risk / Return Rank: 21
NURE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
NURE Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
NURE Omega Ratio Rank: 19
NURE Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
NURE Martin Ratio Rank: 21

NUSC

NUSC Risk / Return Rank: 54
NUSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
NUSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
NUSC Omega Ratio Rank: 46
NUSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
NUSC Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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. NUSC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Short-Term REIT ETF (NURE) 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.

	NURE	NUSC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.66	1.62	-0.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.05	2.37	-1.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.28	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.15	2.79	-1.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.39	10.07	-7.67

NURE vs. NUSC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NURE Sharpe Ratio is 0.66, which is lower than the NUSC Sharpe Ratio of 1.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NURE 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

NURE vs. NUSC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NURE drawdown since its inception was -46.05%, which is greater than NUSC's maximum drawdown of -41.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NURE and NUSC.

Drawdown Indicators

	NURE	NUSC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.05%	-41.49%	-4.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.13%	-10.10%	+0.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.03%	-26.95%	+5.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.98%	-28.85%	-7.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.39%	-1.07%	-8.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.28%	-8.17%	-4.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.38%	2.80%	+1.58%

Volatility

NURE vs. NUSC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen Short-Term REIT ETF (NURE) is 4.29%, while Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) has a volatility of 5.19%. This indicates that NURE 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

	NURE	NUSC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.29%	5.19%	-0.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.62%	12.72%	-1.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.02%	17.45%	-1.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.67%	21.19%	-1.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.78%	22.34%	-0.56%

NURE vs. NUSC - Expense Ratio Comparison

NURE has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than NUSC's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

NURE vs. NUSC - Dividend Comparison

NURE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.33%, more than NUSC's 0.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
NURE Nuveen Short-Term REIT ETF	4.33%	4.56%	3.51%	3.73%	2.80%	1.34%	3.41%	3.28%	4.11%	3.86%	0.48%
NUSC Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF	0.92%	1.05%	1.15%	1.11%	1.16%	7.06%	0.52%	0.90%	3.95%	0.94%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NURE and NUSC in my portfolio?

NURE and NUSC have a correlation of 0.53, 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 NUSC?

NUSC has higher volatility (5.19%) compared to NURE (4.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NURE dropped -46.05% vs NUSC's -41.49%.

Which ETF is better, NURE or NUSC?

On 5-year performance, NUSC leads with 4.65% vs 1.78% for NURE. On fees, NUSC is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, NURE has been the lower-risk option at 4.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NURE or NUSC?

Over the 5-year period, NUSC has performed better with a 4.65% return vs 1.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NURE or NUSC?

NUSC is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for NURE.

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

NURE has the higher dividend yield at 4.33%, compared with 0.92% for NUSC.

What is the main difference between NURE and NUSC?

NURE is categorized as REIT, while NUSC is Small Cap Growth Equities. NURE tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Short-Term REIT Index, while NUSC tracks MSCI TIAA ESG USA Small Cap. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for NURE and 0.30% for NUSC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NUSC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.62 vs 0.66), 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.