VTWO vs. NUSC
VTWO (Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF) and NUSC (Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTWO is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index, while NUSC is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI TIAA ESG USA Small Cap. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VTWO returned 6.54%/yr vs 4.62%/yr for NUSC. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VTWO charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for NUSC.
Performance
VTWO vs. NUSC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VTWO achieves a 21.09% return, which is significantly higher than NUSC's 14.18% return.
VTWO
- 1D
- 0.46%
- 1M
- 4.33%
- YTD
- 21.09%
- 6M
- 17.98%
- 1Y
- 40.11%
- 3Y*
- 19.67%
- 5Y*
- 6.54%
- 10Y*
- 11.78%
NUSC
- 1D
- 0.45%
- 1M
- 3.70%
- YTD
- 14.18%
- 6M
- 11.63%
- 1Y
- 27.44%
- 3Y*
- 13.95%
- 5Y*
- 4.62%
- 10Y*
- —
VTWO vs. NUSC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VTWO Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF | 21.09% | 12.90% | 11.55% | 17.08% | -20.49% | 14.79% | 20.22% | 25.81% | -11.15% | 14.69% |
NUSC Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF | 14.18% | 7.72% | 8.29% | 15.72% | -17.73% | 17.51% | 23.69% | 27.09% | -9.40% | 16.50% |
Correlation
The correlation between VTWO and NUSC is 0.95, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2016 | 0.96 |
The correlation between VTWO and NUSC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VTWO vs. NUSC — Risk / Return Rank
VTWO
NUSC
VTWO vs. NUSC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF (VTWO) 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.
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.
| VTWO | NUSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.47 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.50 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.34 | 1.27 | +0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.67 | 2.73 | +0.94 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.00 | 9.83 | +3.16 |
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Drawdowns
VTWO vs. NUSC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VTWO drawdown since its inception was -41.19%, roughly equal to the maximum NUSC drawdown of -41.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTWO and NUSC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VTWO | NUSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -41.19% | -41.49% | +0.30% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.99% | -10.10% | -0.89% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -27.57% | -26.95% | -0.62% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -31.88% | -28.85% | -3.03% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.19% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.48% | -0.62% | +0.14% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.36% | -8.17% | -0.19% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.10% | 2.80% | +0.30% |
Volatility
VTWO vs. NUSC - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF (VTWO) has a higher volatility of 6.53% compared to Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) at 5.17%. This indicates that VTWO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NUSC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VTWO | NUSC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.53% | 5.17% | +1.36% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.27% | 12.72% | +1.55% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 19.65% | 17.44% | +2.21% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.56% | 21.19% | +1.37% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.11% | 22.34% | +0.77% |
VTWO vs. NUSC - Expense Ratio Comparison
VTWO has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than NUSC's 0.30% expense ratio.
Dividends
VTWO vs. NUSC - Dividend Comparison
VTWO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.09%, more than NUSC's 0.92% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NUSC Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF | 0.92% | 1.05% | 1.15% | 1.11% | 1.16% | 7.06% | 0.52% | 0.90% | 3.95% | 0.94% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VTWO Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF | 1.09% | 1.25% | 1.21% | 1.45% | 1.48% | 1.13% | 0.92% | 1.36% | 1.41% | 1.18% | 1.27% | 1.23% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.95, VTWO and NUSC move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
VTWO has higher volatility (6.53%) compared to NUSC (5.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTWO dropped -41.19% vs NUSC's -41.49%.
On 5-year performance, VTWO leads with 6.54% vs 4.62% for NUSC. On fees, VTWO is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, NUSC has been the lower-risk option at 5.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VTWO has performed better with a 6.54% return vs 4.62%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VTWO is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for NUSC.
VTWO has the higher dividend yield at 1.09%, compared with 0.92% for NUSC.
VTWO is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while NUSC is Small Cap Growth Equities. VTWO tracks Russell 2000 Index, while NUSC tracks MSCI TIAA ESG USA Small Cap. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Nuveen. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VTWO and 0.30% for NUSC.
VTWO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 1.58), 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.
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