NUSC vs. FSGS
NUSC (Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF) and FSGS (First Trust SMID Growth Strength ETF) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds - NUSC tracks the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Small Cap while FSGS tracks the SMID Growth Strength Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NUSC returned 4.68%/yr vs 2.19%/yr for FSGS. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NUSC charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FSGS.
Performance
NUSC vs. FSGS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, NUSC achieves a 12.88% return, which is significantly higher than FSGS's 1.27% return.
NUSC
- 1D
- -0.57%
- 1M
- 3.77%
- YTD
- 12.88%
- 6M
- 12.74%
- 1Y
- 27.41%
- 3Y*
- 13.27%
- 5Y*
- 4.68%
- 10Y*
- —
FSGS
- 1D
- -0.37%
- 1M
- 0.83%
- YTD
- 1.27%
- 6M
- 0.20%
- 1Y
- 4.81%
- 3Y*
- 7.06%
- 5Y*
- 2.19%
- 10Y*
- —
NUSC vs. FSGS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NUSC Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF | 12.88% | 7.72% | 8.29% | 15.72% | -17.73% | 17.51% | 23.69% | 27.09% | -9.40% | 10.49% |
FSGS First Trust SMID Growth Strength ETF | 1.27% | 2.41% | 6.38% | 15.98% | -13.17% | 25.56% | 10.26% | 21.31% | -11.92% | 10.39% |
Correlation
The correlation between NUSC and FSGS is 0.89, 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 | 0.89 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2017 | 0.86 |
The correlation between NUSC and FSGS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
NUSC vs. FSGS — Risk / Return Rank
NUSC
FSGS
NUSC vs. FSGS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) and First Trust SMID Growth Strength ETF (FSGS). 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.
| NUSC | FSGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.30 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.81 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.28 | 1.06 | +0.21 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.72 | 0.43 | +2.30 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.81 | 1.21 | +8.60 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| NUSC | FSGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.61 | 0.32 | +1.30 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.22 | 0.11 | +0.11 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.44 | 0.30 | +0.14 |
Drawdowns
NUSC vs. FSGS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum NUSC drawdown since its inception was -41.49%, roughly equal to the maximum FSGS drawdown of -43.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUSC and FSGS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| NUSC | FSGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.49% | -43.26% | +1.77% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.10% | -11.31% | +1.21% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.95% | -24.08% | -2.87% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.85% | -24.08% | -4.77% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.57% | -4.73% | +4.16% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.21% | -8.03% | -0.18% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.80% | 3.97% | -1.17% |
Volatility
NUSC vs. FSGS - Volatility Comparison
Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) has a higher volatility of 4.50% compared to First Trust SMID Growth Strength ETF (FSGS) at 3.74%. This indicates that NUSC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FSGS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| NUSC | FSGS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.50% | 3.74% | +0.76% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.17% | 10.73% | +1.44% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.11% | 15.24% | +1.87% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.15% | 20.14% | +1.01% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.36% | 22.81% | -0.45% |
NUSC vs. FSGS - Expense Ratio Comparison
NUSC has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than FSGS's 0.60% expense ratio.
Dividends
NUSC vs. FSGS - Dividend Comparison
NUSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, while FSGS has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FSGS First Trust SMID Growth Strength ETF | 0.00% | 0.00% | 2.71% | 2.29% | 1.95% | 1.35% | 1.32% | 1.77% | 2.13% | 1.15% |
NUSC Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF | 0.93% | 1.05% | 1.15% | 1.11% | 1.16% | 7.06% | 0.52% | 0.90% | 3.95% | 0.94% |
Frequently Asked Questions
NUSC and FSGS have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NUSC has higher volatility (4.50%) compared to FSGS (3.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUSC dropped -41.49% vs FSGS's -43.26%.
On 5-year performance, NUSC leads with 4.68% vs 2.19% for FSGS. On fees, NUSC is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, FSGS has been the lower-risk option at 3.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, NUSC has performed better with a 4.68% return vs 2.19%. 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 0.60% for FSGS.
NUSC has the higher dividend yield at 0.93%, compared with 0.00% for FSGS.
NUSC tracks MSCI TIAA ESG USA Small Cap, while FSGS tracks SMID Growth Strength Index. They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for NUSC and 0.60% for FSGS.
NUSC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.61 vs 0.32), 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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