NWLG vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NWLG (Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth ESG ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - NWLG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Nuveen, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. NWLG is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NWLG charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

NWLG vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth ESG ETF (NWLG) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

NWLG

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

NWLG vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
NWLG Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth ESG ETF	-10.63%	13.21%	29.17%	43.55%	-31.52%	5.24%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	8.24%

Correlation

The correlation between NWLG and SPY is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 6, 2021	0.91

The correlation between NWLG and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.79 (1 year) to 0.91 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

NWLG vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NWLG	SPY
Technology	48.0%	35.9%
Communication Services	14.7%	11.3%
Industrials	12.4%	7.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	10.3%
Healthcare	6.7%	8.4%
Financial Services	5.9%	11.8%
Consumer Defensive	1.0%	4.8%
Basic Materials	1.0%	1.8%
Energy	-	3.6%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

NWLG vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth ESG ETF (NWLG) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NWLG	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.38	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.82	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	—	0.59	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	NWLG	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	—	-55.19%	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-8.88%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.76%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	—	-0.70%	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	—	-9.05%	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.91%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	NWLG	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.84%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	8.90%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	11.83%	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	—	17.05%	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	—	17.94%	—

NWLG vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

NWLG has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

NWLG vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

NWLG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.71%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NWLG Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth ESG ETF	15.71%	0.00%	0.00%	0.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NWLG and SPY in my portfolio?

NWLG and SPY have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, NWLG or SPY?

On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, NWLG or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.64% for NWLG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NWLG or SPY?

NWLG has the higher dividend yield at 15.71%, compared with 0.98% for SPY.

What is the main difference between NWLG and SPY?

NWLG is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.64% for NWLG and 0.09% for SPY.