NUSC vs. CAFG
NUSC (Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF) and CAFG (Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds - NUSC tracks the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Small Cap while CAFG tracks the Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, NUSC returned 13.78%/yr vs 15.08%/yr for CAFG. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NUSC charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for CAFG.
Performance
NUSC vs. CAFG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, NUSC achieves a 13.66% return, which is significantly lower than CAFG's 27.99% return.
NUSC
- 1D
- -0.98%
- 1M
- 3.23%
- YTD
- 13.66%
- 6M
- 11.49%
- 1Y
- 28.10%
- 3Y*
- 13.78%
- 5Y*
- 4.65%
- 10Y*
- —
CAFG
- 1D
- -0.33%
- 1M
- 2.98%
- YTD
- 27.99%
- 6M
- 25.79%
- 1Y
- 34.79%
- 3Y*
- 15.08%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
NUSC vs. CAFG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
NUSC Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF | 13.66% | 7.72% | 8.29% | 12.91% |
CAFG Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF | 27.99% | 0.17% | 6.95% | 21.26% |
Correlation
The correlation between NUSC and CAFG is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.88 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.89 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2023 | 0.88 |
The correlation between NUSC and CAFG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
NUSC vs. CAFG — Risk / Return Rank
NUSC
CAFG
NUSC vs. CAFG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) and Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (CAFG). 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.
| NUSC | CAFG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.37 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.45 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.28 | 1.34 | -0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.79 | 4.30 | -1.50 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.07 | 14.15 | -4.08 |
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Drawdowns
NUSC vs. CAFG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum NUSC drawdown since its inception was -41.49%, which is greater than CAFG's maximum drawdown of -23.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUSC and CAFG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| NUSC | CAFG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.49% | -23.66% | -17.83% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.10% | -8.13% | -1.97% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.95% | -23.66% | -3.29% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.85% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.07% | -0.49% | -0.58% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.17% | -5.45% | -2.72% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.80% | 2.46% | +0.34% |
Volatility
NUSC vs. CAFG - Volatility Comparison
Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) and Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (CAFG) have volatilities of 5.19% and 5.07%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| NUSC | CAFG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.19% | 5.07% | +0.12% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.72% | 13.16% | -0.44% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.45% | 17.61% | -0.16% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.19% | 19.54% | +1.65% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.34% | 19.54% | +2.80% |
NUSC vs. CAFG - Expense Ratio Comparison
NUSC has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than CAFG's 0.59% expense ratio.
Dividends
NUSC vs. CAFG - Dividend Comparison
NUSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%, more than CAFG's 0.31% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CAFG Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF | 0.31% | 0.35% | 0.36% | 0.39% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
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% |
Frequently Asked Questions
NUSC and CAFG have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NUSC has higher volatility (5.19%) compared to CAFG (5.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUSC dropped -41.49% vs CAFG's -23.66%.
On 3-year performance, CAFG leads with 15.08% vs 13.78% for NUSC. On fees, NUSC is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, CAFG has been the lower-risk option at 5.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, CAFG has performed better with a 15.08% return vs 13.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
NUSC is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for CAFG.
NUSC has the higher dividend yield at 0.92%, compared with 0.31% for CAFG.
NUSC tracks MSCI TIAA ESG USA Small Cap, while CAFG tracks Pacer US Small Cap Cash Cows Growth Leaders Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for NUSC and 0.59% for CAFG.
CAFG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.62), 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.
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