NUSC vs. NWLG

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) and Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth ESG ETF (NWLG).

NUSC and NWLG 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. NWLG is an actively managed fund by Nuveen. It was launched on Aug 4, 2021.

Performance

NUSC vs. NWLG - Performance Comparison

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

NUSC vs. NWLG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
NUSC Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF	1.77%	7.72%	8.29%	15.72%	-17.73%	1.68%
NWLG Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth ESG ETF	-10.99%	13.21%	29.17%	43.55%	-31.52%	5.24%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NUSC achieves a 1.77% return, which is significantly higher than NWLG's -10.99% return.

NUSC

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: -5.43%
• YTD: 1.77%
• 6M: 3.62%
• 1Y: 19.16%
• 3Y*: 9.86%
• 5Y*: 3.12%
• 10Y*: —

NWLG

• 1D: 1.24%
• 1M: -5.89%
• YTD: -10.99%
• 6M: -10.57%
• 1Y: 11.03%
• 3Y*: 18.51%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

NUSC vs. NWLG - Expense Ratio Comparison

NUSC has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than NWLG's 0.64% expense ratio.

NWLG

Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth ESG ETF

NUSC

Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF

Return for Risk

NUSC vs. NWLG — Risk / Return Rank

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

NUSC

NUSC Risk / Return Rank: 47
NUSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
NUSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
NUSC Omega Ratio Rank: 43
NUSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
NUSC Martin Ratio Rank: 53

NWLG

NWLG Risk / Return Rank: 26
NWLG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
NWLG Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
NWLG Omega Ratio Rank: 27
NWLG Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
NWLG Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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. NWLG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) and Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth ESG ETF (NWLG). 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	NWLG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.86	0.48	+0.38
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.35	0.85	+0.50
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.12	+0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.34	0.61	+0.73
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.44	1.99	+3.45
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. NWLG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NUSC Sharpe Ratio is 0.86, which is higher than the NWLG Sharpe Ratio of 0.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NUSC and NWLG, 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	NWLG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86	0.48	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.29	+0.10

Correlation

The correlation between NUSC and NWLG is 0.70, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

NUSC vs. NWLG - Dividend Comparison

NUSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, while NWLG has not paid dividends to shareholders.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NUSC Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF	1.03%	1.05%	1.15%	1.11%	1.16%	7.06%	0.52%	0.90%	3.95%	0.94%
NWLG Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth ESG ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

NUSC vs. NWLG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NUSC drawdown since its inception was -41.49%, roughly equal to the maximum NWLG drawdown of -39.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NUSC and NWLG.

Drawdown Indicators

	NUSC	NWLG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.49%	-39.89%	-1.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.76%	-19.14%	+4.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.85%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.21%	-15.21%	+9.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.33%	-12.67%	+4.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.63%	5.88%	-2.25%

Volatility

NUSC vs. NWLG - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) and Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth ESG ETF (NWLG) have volatilities of 6.89% and 7.03%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NUSC	NWLG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.89%	7.03%	-0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.90%	12.91%	-0.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.31%	22.93%	-0.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.18%	22.73%	-1.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.46%	22.73%	-0.27%