PABD vs. NULC

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

PABD (iShares Paris-Aligned Climate MSCI World Ex USA ETF) and NULC (Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PABD is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI World ex USA Climate Paris Aligned Benchmark Extended Select Index - Benchmark TR Net, while NULC is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, PABD returned 19.12% vs 22.64% for NULC. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PABD charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for NULC.

Performance

PABD vs. NULC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Paris-Aligned Climate MSCI World Ex USA ETF (PABD) and Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PABD achieves a 8.29% return, which is significantly lower than NULC's 14.27% return.

PABD

• 1D: 0.74%
• 1M: 0.67%
• 6M: 5.53%
• YTD: 8.29%
• 1Y: 19.12%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

NULC

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 2.31%
• 6M: 11.31%
• YTD: 14.27%
• 1Y: 22.64%
• 3Y*: 19.10%
• 5Y*: 10.90%
• 10Y*: —

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

PABD vs. NULC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PABD iShares Paris-Aligned Climate MSCI World Ex USA ETF	8.29%	30.06%	5.32%
NULC Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF	14.27%	16.29%	18.42%

Correlation

The correlation between PABD and NULC is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 19, 2024	0.71

The correlation between PABD and NULC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

PABD vs. NULC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PABD	NULC
Financial Services	29.9%	17.1%
Industrials	15.6%	9.5%
Technology	15.1%	30.1%
Healthcare	12.1%	10.6%
Real Estate	6.1%	2.2%
Basic Materials	4.7%	2.1%
Consumer Cyclical	4.6%	7.6%
Utilities	4.5%	2.2%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	5.8%
Communication Services	2.4%	9.2%
Energy	0.2%	3.4%

Return for Risk

PABD vs. NULC — Risk / Return Rank

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

PABD

PABD Risk / Return Rank: 40
PABD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
PABD Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
PABD Omega Ratio Rank: 39
PABD Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
PABD Martin Ratio Rank: 44

NULC

NULC Risk / Return Rank: 65
NULC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
NULC Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
NULC Omega Ratio Rank: 62
NULC Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
NULC Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

PABD vs. NULC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Paris-Aligned Climate MSCI World Ex USA ETF (PABD) and Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	PABD	NULC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.19	1.70	-0.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.75	2.36	-0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.30	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.53	2.55	-1.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.71	10.38	-4.67

PABD vs. NULC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PABD Sharpe Ratio is 1.19, which is comparable to the NULC Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PABD and NULC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PABD vs. NULC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PABD drawdown since its inception was -13.37%, smaller than the maximum NULC drawdown of -34.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PABD and NULC.

Drawdown Indicators

	PABD	NULC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.37%	-34.86%	+21.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.55%	-8.91%	-3.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.53%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-27.90%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.26%	-0.50%	-0.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.57%	-6.39%	+3.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.36%	2.19%	+1.17%

Volatility

PABD vs. NULC - Volatility Comparison

iShares Paris-Aligned Climate MSCI World Ex USA ETF (PABD) and Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF (NULC) have volatilities of 3.85% and 3.67%, 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

	PABD	NULC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.85%	3.67%	+0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.84%	10.63%	+3.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.08%	13.35%	+2.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.60%	16.97%	-1.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.60%	19.93%	-4.33%

PABD vs. NULC - Expense Ratio Comparison

PABD has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than NULC's 0.20% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

PABD vs. NULC - Dividend Comparison

PABD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.02%, less than NULC's 8.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
NULC Nuveen ESG Large-Cap ETF	8.90%	10.17%	1.86%	1.32%	2.37%	6.14%	4.07%	0.77%
PABD iShares Paris-Aligned Climate MSCI World Ex USA ETF	3.02%	2.74%	2.87%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PABD and NULC in my portfolio?

PABD and NULC have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PABD or NULC?

PABD has higher volatility (3.85%) compared to NULC (3.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PABD dropped -13.37% vs NULC's -34.86%.

Which ETF is better, PABD or NULC?

On 1-year performance, NULC leads with 22.64% vs 19.12% for PABD. On fees, PABD is cheaper at 0.12% per year. On volatility, NULC has been the lower-risk option at 3.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PABD or NULC?

Over the 1-year period, NULC has performed better with a 22.64% return vs 19.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PABD or NULC?

PABD is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for NULC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PABD or NULC?

NULC has the higher dividend yield at 8.90%, compared with 3.02% for PABD.

What is the main difference between PABD and NULC?

PABD is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while NULC is Large Cap Growth Equities. PABD tracks MSCI World ex USA Climate Paris Aligned Benchmark Extended Select Index - Benchmark TR Net, while NULC tracks MSCI TIAA ESG USA Large Cap. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Nuveen. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for PABD and 0.20% for NULC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NULC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 1.19), 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.