NUSC vs. ISCG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NUSC (Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF) and ISCG (iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds - NUSC tracks the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Small Cap while ISCG tracks the Morningstar US Small Cap Broad Growth Extended Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NUSC returned 4.68%/yr vs 5.31%/yr for ISCG. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NUSC charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for ISCG.

Performance

NUSC vs. ISCG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) and iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF (ISCG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with NUSC having a 12.88% return and ISCG slightly higher at 12.92%.

NUSC

• 1D: -0.57%
• 1M: 3.77%
• YTD: 12.88%
• 6M: 12.74%
• 1Y: 27.41%
• 3Y*: 13.27%
• 5Y*: 4.68%
• 10Y*: —

ISCG

• 1D: -0.93%
• 1M: 3.29%
• YTD: 12.92%
• 6M: 12.57%
• 1Y: 30.64%
• 3Y*: 17.01%
• 5Y*: 5.31%
• 10Y*: 11.37%

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

NUSC vs. ISCG - 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%	16.50%
ISCG iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF	12.92%	12.88%	13.35%	23.13%	-26.75%	-1.26%	43.41%	27.66%	-6.91%	24.68%

Correlation

The correlation between NUSC and ISCG is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 15, 2016	0.91

The correlation between NUSC and ISCG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NUSC vs. ISCG — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUSC

NUSC Risk / Return Rank: 50
NUSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
NUSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
NUSC Omega Ratio Rank: 42
NUSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
NUSC Martin Ratio Rank: 56

ISCG

ISCG Risk / Return Rank: 50
ISCG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
ISCG Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
ISCG Omega Ratio Rank: 44
ISCG Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
ISCG Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

NUSC vs. ISCG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) and iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF (ISCG). 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	ISCG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	1.70	-0.09
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.38	2.40	-0.03
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.29	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.72	2.69	+0.03
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.81	10.31	-0.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NUSC vs. ISCG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUSC Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is comparable to the ISCG Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUSC and ISCG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NUSC	ISCG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.61	1.70	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22	0.23	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.49	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.41	+0.03

Drawdowns

NUSC vs. ISCG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUSC drawdown since its inception was -41.49%, smaller than the maximum ISCG drawdown of -57.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUSC and ISCG.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUSC	ISCG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.49%	-57.72%	+16.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.10%	-11.43%	+1.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.95%	-26.71%	-0.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.85%	-37.80%	+8.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.48%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.57%	-0.93%	+0.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.21%	-11.63%	+3.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.80%	2.98%	-0.18%

Volatility

NUSC vs. ISCG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) is 4.50%, while iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF (ISCG) has a volatility of 4.93%. This indicates that NUSC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ISCG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUSC	ISCG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.50%	4.93%	-0.43%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.17%	13.09%	-0.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.11%	18.13%	-1.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.15%	22.95%	-1.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.36%	23.16%	-0.80%

NUSC vs. ISCG - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUSC has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than ISCG's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

NUSC vs. ISCG - Dividend Comparison

NUSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, more than ISCG's 0.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ISCG iShares Morningstar Small-Cap Growth ETF	0.56%	0.61%	0.84%	0.77%	0.92%	0.62%	0.10%	0.27%	0.40%	0.52%	1.19%	0.64%
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%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUSC and ISCG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, NUSC and ISCG move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, NUSC or ISCG?

ISCG has higher volatility (4.93%) compared to NUSC (4.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUSC dropped -41.49% vs ISCG's -57.72%.

Which ETF is better, NUSC or ISCG?

On 5-year performance, ISCG leads with 5.31% vs 4.68% for NUSC. On fees, ISCG is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, NUSC has been the lower-risk option at 4.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NUSC or ISCG?

Over the 5-year period, ISCG has performed better with a 5.31% return vs 4.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUSC or ISCG?

ISCG is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for NUSC.

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

NUSC has the higher dividend yield at 0.93%, compared with 0.56% for ISCG.

What is the main difference between NUSC and ISCG?

NUSC tracks MSCI TIAA ESG USA Small Cap, while ISCG tracks Morningstar US Small Cap Broad Growth Extended Index. They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for NUSC and 0.06% for ISCG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ISCG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 1.61), 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.