NWLG vs. NUSC

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

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

NWLG and NUSC are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. NWLG is an actively managed fund by Nuveen. It was launched on Aug 4, 2021. 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.

Performance

NWLG vs. NUSC - Performance Comparison

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

NWLG vs. NUSC - Yearly Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

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

NWLG

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

NUSC

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

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

NWLG vs. NUSC - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

NWLG

Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth ESG ETF

NUSC

Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF

Return for Risk

NWLG vs. NUSC — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

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

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.

NWLG vs. NUSC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth ESG ETF (NWLG) and Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC). 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.

	NWLG	NUSC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.48	0.86	-0.38
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.85	1.35	-0.50
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.18	-0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.61	1.34	-0.73
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.99	5.44	-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.

NWLG vs. NUSC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NWLG Sharpe Ratio is 0.48, which is lower than the NUSC Sharpe Ratio of 0.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NWLG and NUSC, 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

	NWLG	NUSC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48	0.86	-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	0.29	0.39	-0.10

Correlation

The correlation between NWLG and NUSC 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

NWLG vs. NUSC - Dividend Comparison

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

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
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%

Drawdowns

NWLG vs. NUSC - Drawdown Comparison

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

Drawdown Indicators

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

Volatility

NWLG vs. NUSC - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth ESG ETF (NWLG) and Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) have volatilities of 7.03% and 6.89%, 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

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