NUSC vs. NURE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NUSC (Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF) and NURE (Nuveen Short-Term REIT ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NUSC is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Small Cap, while NURE is a REIT fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Short-Term REIT Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NUSC returned 4.68%/yr vs 1.55%/yr for NURE. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NUSC charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for NURE.

Performance

NUSC vs. NURE - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUSC achieves a 12.88% return, which is significantly higher than NURE's 11.00% return.

NUSC

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

NURE

• 1D: 0.55%
• 1M: 4.16%
• YTD: 11.00%
• 6M: 11.80%
• 1Y: 7.38%
• 3Y*: 4.66%
• 5Y*: 1.55%
• 10Y*: —

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

NUSC vs. NURE - 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%
NURE Nuveen Short-Term REIT ETF	11.00%	-7.51%	6.65%	13.09%	-28.48%	53.41%	-7.24%	25.10%	0.02%	8.41%

Correlation

The correlation between NUSC and NURE is 0.56, 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	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 21, 2016	0.58

The correlation between NUSC and NURE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.66 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NUSC vs. NURE — 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

NURE

NURE Risk / Return Rank: 17
NURE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
NURE Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
NURE Omega Ratio Rank: 15
NURE Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
NURE Martin Ratio Rank: 17

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. NURE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) and Nuveen Short-Term REIT ETF (NURE). 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	NURE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	0.47	+1.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.38	0.78	+1.60
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.09	+0.19
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.72	0.81	+1.91
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.81	1.68	+8.13
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. NURE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUSC Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is higher than the NURE Sharpe Ratio of 0.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUSC and NURE, 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	NURE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.61	0.47	+1.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22	0.08	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.27	+0.17

Drawdowns

NUSC vs. NURE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUSC drawdown since its inception was -41.49%, smaller than the maximum NURE drawdown of -46.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUSC and NURE.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUSC	NURE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.49%	-46.05%	+4.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.10%	-9.13%	-0.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.95%	-21.03%	-5.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.85%	-35.98%	+7.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.57%	-12.49%	+11.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.21%	-12.30%	+4.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.80%	4.39%	-1.59%

Volatility

NUSC vs. NURE - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) has a higher volatility of 4.50% compared to Nuveen Short-Term REIT ETF (NURE) at 4.20%. This indicates that NUSC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NURE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUSC	NURE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.50%	4.20%	+0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.17%	11.43%	+0.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.11%	15.80%	+1.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.15%	19.65%	+1.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.36%	21.80%	+0.56%

NUSC vs. NURE - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUSC has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than NURE's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

NUSC vs. NURE - Dividend Comparison

NUSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, less than NURE's 4.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
NURE Nuveen Short-Term REIT ETF	4.48%	4.56%	3.51%	3.73%	2.80%	1.34%	3.41%	3.28%	4.11%	3.86%	0.48%
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NUSC and NURE in my portfolio?

NUSC and NURE have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NUSC or NURE?

NUSC has higher volatility (4.50%) compared to NURE (4.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NUSC dropped -41.49% vs NURE's -46.05%.

Which ETF is better, NUSC or NURE?

On 5-year performance, NUSC leads with 4.68% vs 1.55% for NURE. On fees, NUSC is cheaper at 0.30% per year. On volatility, NURE has been the lower-risk option at 4.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NUSC or NURE?

Over the 5-year period, NUSC has performed better with a 4.68% return vs 1.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NUSC or NURE?

NUSC is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for NURE.

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

NURE has the higher dividend yield at 4.48%, compared with 0.93% for NUSC.

What is the main difference between NUSC and NURE?

NUSC is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while NURE is REIT. NUSC tracks MSCI TIAA ESG USA Small Cap, while NURE tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Short-Term REIT Index. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for NUSC and 0.35% for NURE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NUSC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.61 vs 0.47), 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.