IVV vs NUSC
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF
Which is better, IVV or NUSC?
Large Cap Blend against Small Cap Blend.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. NUSC is less concentrated, with 9.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | IVV | NUSC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.31% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $1.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 0.91% |
| Holdings | 508 | 406 |
| YTD Return | +14.15%Best | +10.40% |
| 1Y Return | +17.31%Best | +13.43% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.17%Best | +13.85% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.85%Best | +5.15% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6%Best | 21.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.9%Best | -41.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,128Best | $12,854 |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.8% | 9.3%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Nuveen |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Dec 13, 2016 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 14, 2016 to Sep 21, 2026 (9.8 years).
IVV vs NUSC growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 9.8 years both funds cover.
IVV vs NUSC Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) is an ETF from Nuveen. Over the past year IVV returned +17.31% while NUSC returned +13.43%. Year to date, IVV is up 14.15% versus a gain of 10.40% for NUSC.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +23.17% per year against +13.85% for NUSC; over five years the annualized figures are +13.85% and +5.15% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +14.33% annualized vs +9.36%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NUSC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.3% compared with 15.6% for IVV. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -33.9% for IVV and -41.5% for NUSC. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while NUSC charges 0.31%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $31 annually, a gap of $28 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 0.91% for NUSC.
Holdings Overlap
0.3% of IVV's money is in holdings NUSC also owns. 7.8% of NUSC's money is in holdings IVV also owns.
NUSC and IVV share little of their money.
15 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 400 in NUSC, against full books of 508 and 406.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 371 positions for NUSC that do not appear in our book for IVV (88.8% of the fund), and 467 for IVV that do not appear in NUSC (98.3%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IVV | Weight in NUSC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VTRSViatris Inc. | 0.03% | 1.05% | 1.02% |
| HSTHost Hotels & Resorts Inc | 0.02% | 0.96% | 0.94% |
| CSGPCostar Group Inc. | 0.02% | 0.90% | 0.88% |
| FDSFactset Research Systems Inc. | 0.02% | 0.81% | 0.79% |
| PNRPentair Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.01% | 0.72% | 0.71% |
| CRLCharles River Laboratories International Inc | 0.02% | 0.63% | 0.61% |
| AKAMAkamai Technologies Inc. | 0.02% | 0.52% | 0.50% |
| GDDYGodaddy Inc. Class A | 0.02% | 0.45% | 0.43% |
| BENFranklin Resources Inc. | 0.02% | 0.42% | 0.40% |
| IVZInvesco Plc | 0.02% | 0.41% | 0.39% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and NUSC you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IVV or NUSC?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while NUSC charges 0.31%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $28 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or NUSC?
Over the past year IVV returned +17.31% vs +13.43% for NUSC, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), IVV annualized +14.33% vs +9.36% for NUSC. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or NUSC?
NUSC has been the more volatile fund at 21.3% annualized versus 15.6% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -33.9% vs NUSC -41.5%.
Should I hold both IVV and NUSC?
IVV and NUSC have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IVV and NUSC?
7.8% of NUSC's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 7.8% of NUSC's is in holdings IVV also owns. They hold 15 positions in common, counted across the 490 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 400 in NUSC.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or NUSC?
IVV yields 1.06% while NUSC yields 0.91%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is NUSC better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. NUSC is less concentrated, with 9.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.