NUSA vs. DDV

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

NUSA (Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF) and DDV (Defined Duration 5 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NUSA is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the ICE BofA Enhanced Yield US Broad Bond (1-5 Y), while DDV is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Discipline Funds. NUSA is passively managed, while DDV is actively managed. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NUSA charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for DDV.

Performance

NUSA vs. DDV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUSA) and Defined Duration 5 ETF (DDV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUSA achieves a 0.48% return, which is significantly lower than DDV's 2.21% return.

NUSA

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 0.48%
• 6M: 0.72%
• 1Y: 3.56%
• 3Y*: 4.37%
• 5Y*: 1.53%
• 10Y*: —

DDV

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.49%
• YTD: 2.21%
• 6M: 2.67%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NUSA vs. DDV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NUSA Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	0.48%	0.62%
DDV Defined Duration 5 ETF	2.21%	0.71%

Correlation

The correlation between NUSA and DDV is 0.62, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 14, 2025	0.62

Return for Risk

NUSA vs. DDV — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUSA

NUSA Risk / Return Rank: 62
NUSA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
NUSA Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
NUSA Omega Ratio Rank: 66
NUSA Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
NUSA Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

NUSA vs. DDV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NUSA) and Defined Duration 5 ETF (DDV). 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.

	NUSA	DDV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.13	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.79	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.89	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NUSA	DDV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.98	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.82	2.04	-1.22

Drawdowns

NUSA vs. DDV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUSA drawdown since its inception was -9.44%, which is greater than DDV's maximum drawdown of -1.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUSA and DDV.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUSA	DDV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.44%	-1.92%	-7.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.28%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.62%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.44%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.46%	-0.14%	-0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.65%	-0.35%	-1.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.36%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	NUSA	DDV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.66%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.33%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.82%	2.67%	-0.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.80%	2.67%	+0.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.72%	2.67%	+0.05%

NUSA vs. DDV - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUSA has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than DDV's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

NUSA vs. DDV - Dividend Comparison

NUSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.86%, more than DDV's 1.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DDV Defined Duration 5 ETF	1.21%	0.42%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NUSA Nuveen ESG 1-5 Year U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	3.86%	3.83%	3.93%	3.54%	2.44%	2.16%	2.51%	2.85%	3.22%	2.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUSA and DDV in my portfolio?

NUSA and DDV have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, NUSA or DDV?

On fees, NUSA is cheaper at 0.15% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUSA or DDV?

NUSA is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for DDV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NUSA or DDV?

NUSA has the higher dividend yield at 3.86%, compared with 1.21% for DDV.

What is the main difference between NUSA and DDV?

NUSA is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while DDV is Intermediate Core Bond. They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and Discipline Funds. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for NUSA and 0.25% for DDV.