NUSC vs. NUDM
NUSC (Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF) and NUDM (Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NUSC is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Small Cap, while NUDM is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI TIAA ESG International DM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NUSC returned 4.68%/yr vs 7.98%/yr for NUDM. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.30% expense ratio.
Performance
NUSC vs. NUDM - 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 NUDM's 7.90% return.
NUSC
- 1D
- -0.57%
- 1M
- 3.77%
- YTD
- 12.88%
- 6M
- 12.74%
- 1Y
- 27.41%
- 3Y*
- 13.27%
- 5Y*
- 4.68%
- 10Y*
- —
NUDM
- 1D
- -0.62%
- 1M
- 4.14%
- YTD
- 7.90%
- 6M
- 9.70%
- 1Y
- 21.49%
- 3Y*
- 16.01%
- 5Y*
- 7.98%
- 10Y*
- —
NUSC vs. NUDM - 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% | 9.07% |
NUDM Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF | 7.90% | 29.60% | 5.47% | 17.70% | -15.16% | 10.62% | 10.06% | 24.58% | -14.82% | 8.40% |
Correlation
The correlation between NUSC and NUDM is 0.71, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.71 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.68 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.72 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2017 | 0.69 |
The correlation between NUSC and NUDM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.68 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
NUSC vs. NUDM — Risk / Return Rank
NUSC
NUDM
NUSC vs. NUDM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) and Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF (NUDM). 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 | NUDM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.24 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.42 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.28 | 1.25 | +0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.72 | 1.73 | +1.00 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.81 | 6.46 | +3.35 |
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 | NUDM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.61 | 1.37 | +0.24 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.22 | 0.48 | -0.26 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.44 | 0.48 | -0.04 |
Drawdowns
NUSC vs. NUDM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum NUSC drawdown since its inception was -41.49%, which is greater than NUDM's maximum drawdown of -32.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUSC and NUDM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| NUSC | NUDM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.49% | -32.01% | -9.48% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.10% | -12.50% | +2.40% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.95% | -13.47% | -13.48% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.85% | -30.09% | +1.24% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.57% | -1.71% | +1.14% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.21% | -6.86% | -1.35% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.80% | 3.34% | -0.54% |
Volatility
NUSC vs. NUDM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) is 4.50%, while Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF (NUDM) has a volatility of 5.22%. This indicates that NUSC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NUDM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| NUSC | NUDM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.50% | 5.22% | -0.72% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.17% | 13.03% | -0.86% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.11% | 15.74% | +1.37% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.15% | 16.64% | +4.51% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.36% | 17.59% | +4.77% |
NUSC vs. NUDM - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both NUSC and NUDM have an expense ratio of 0.30%.
Dividends
NUSC vs. NUDM - Dividend Comparison
NUSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, less than NUDM's 6.92% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NUDM Nuveen ESG International Developed Markets Equity ETF | 6.92% | 7.46% | 3.33% | 3.14% | 1.98% | 4.31% | 1.47% | 3.42% | 2.45% | 0.47% |
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 NUDM have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NUDM has higher volatility (5.22%) compared to NUSC (4.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUSC dropped -41.49% vs NUDM's -32.01%.
On 5-year performance, NUDM leads with 7.98% vs 4.68% for NUSC. Both ETFs have the same 0.30% expense ratio. 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.
Over the 5-year period, NUDM has performed better with a 7.98% return vs 4.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
NUSC and NUDM have the same expense ratio: 0.30% per year.
NUDM has the higher dividend yield at 6.92%, compared with 0.93% for NUSC.
NUSC is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while NUDM is Foreign Large Cap Equities. NUSC tracks MSCI TIAA ESG USA Small Cap, while NUDM tracks MSCI TIAA ESG International DM.
NUSC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.61 vs 1.37), 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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