NUSC vs. NCPB

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) and Nuveen Core Plus Bond ETF (NCPB).

NUSC and NCPB are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. NUSC is a passively managed fund by Nuveen that tracks the performance of the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Small Cap. It was launched on Dec 13, 2016. NCPB is an actively managed fund by Nuveen. It was launched on Mar 5, 2024.

Performance

NUSC vs. NCPB - Performance Comparison

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

NUSC vs. NCPB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
NUSC Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF	0.92%	7.72%	5.44%
NCPB Nuveen Core Plus Bond ETF	-0.18%	7.69%	3.55%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUSC achieves a 0.92% return, which is significantly higher than NCPB's -0.18% return.

NUSC

• 1D: 3.46%
• 1M: -5.64%
• YTD: 0.92%
• 6M: 3.24%
• 1Y: 18.75%
• 3Y*: 9.56%
• 5Y*: 2.95%
• 10Y*: —

NCPB

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: -2.00%
• YTD: -0.18%
• 6M: 1.18%
• 1Y: 4.77%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NUSC vs. NCPB - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both NUSC and NCPB have an expense ratio of 0.30%.

NUSC

Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF

NCPB

Nuveen Core Plus Bond ETF

Return for Risk

NUSC vs. NCPB — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUSC

NUSC Risk / Return Rank: 49
NUSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
NUSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
NUSC Omega Ratio Rank: 46
NUSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
NUSC Martin Ratio Rank: 53

NCPB

NCPB Risk / Return Rank: 62
NCPB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
NCPB Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
NCPB Omega Ratio Rank: 57
NCPB Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
NCPB Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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. NCPB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) and Nuveen Core Plus Bond ETF (NCPB). 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	NCPB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.84	1.15	-0.31
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.33	1.58	-0.25
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.22	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.24	1.78	-0.54
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.06	5.98	-0.92
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. NCPB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUSC Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is comparable to the NCPB Sharpe Ratio of 1.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUSC and NCPB, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NUSC	NCPB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84	1.15	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	1.22	-0.83

Correlation

The correlation between NUSC and NCPB is 0.29, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.

Dividends

NUSC vs. NCPB - Dividend Comparison

NUSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, less than NCPB's 5.22% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NUSC Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF	1.04%	1.05%	1.15%	1.11%	1.16%	7.06%	0.52%	0.90%	3.95%	0.94%
NCPB Nuveen Core Plus Bond ETF	4.76%	5.21%	5.14%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

NUSC vs. NCPB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUSC drawdown since its inception was -41.49%, which is greater than NCPB's maximum drawdown of -3.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUSC and NCPB.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUSC	NCPB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.49%	-3.59%	-37.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.76%	-2.88%	-11.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.85%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.00%	-2.00%	-5.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.33%	-0.88%	-7.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.61%	0.86%	+2.75%

Volatility

NUSC vs. NCPB - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) has a higher volatility of 6.95% compared to Nuveen Core Plus Bond ETF (NCPB) at 1.70%. This indicates that NUSC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NCPB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUSC	NCPB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.95%	1.70%	+5.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.88%	2.39%	+10.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.30%	4.18%	+18.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.19%	4.39%	+16.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.46%	4.39%	+18.07%