NULG vs VOO
Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, NULG or VOO?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. NULG led over the full window, VOO over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 45.5%.
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 | NULG | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.26% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.9B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.10% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 71 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +12.76%Best | +11.55% |
| 1Y Return | +11.73% | +17.54%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.56% | +20.71%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.20% | +12.80%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.8% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -36.2% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,003 | $18,262Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 45.5% | 36.4%Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 13, 2016 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 14, 2016 to Sep 10, 2026 (9.7 years).
NULG vs VOO 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 9.7 years both funds cover.
NULG vs VOO Performance
Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (NULG) is an ETF from Nuveen and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NULG returned +11.73% while VOO returned +17.54%. Year to date, NULG is up 12.76% versus a gain of 11.55% for VOO.
Over three years, NULG compounded at +20.56% per year against +20.71% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +11.20% and +12.80% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, NULG has the edge at +18.11% annualized vs +14.15%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NULG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% compared with 15.6% for VOO. 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 -36.2% for NULG and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NULG charges 0.26% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $26 vs $3 annually, a gap of $23 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NULG currently yields 0.10% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
92.1% of NULG's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 23.4% of VOO's money is in holdings NULG also owns.
Most of NULG is already inside VOO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
55 positions in common, counted across the 67 positions we hold weights for in NULG and 505 in VOO, against full books of 71 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 442 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for NULG (76.1% of the fund), and 12 for NULG that do not appear in VOO (6.3%).
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 NULG | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 15.91% | 7.51% | 8.40% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 6.49% | 2.77% | 3.72% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 4.10% | 1.47% | 2.63% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc. | 3.56% | 1.47% | 2.09% |
| VVisa Inc | 3.01% | 0.87% | 2.14% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 2.70% | 0.89% | 1.81% |
| LRCXLam Research Corpcommon Stock | 2.60% | 0.84% | 1.76% |
| PANWPalo Alto Networks Inc. | 2.79% | 0.43% | 2.36% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 2.26% | 0.76% | 1.50% |
| GEVGE Vernova, LLC | 1.98% | 0.49% | 1.49% |
92.1% of NULG is already inside VOO.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, NULG or VOO?
NULG has an expense ratio of 0.26% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $23 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NULG or VOO?
Over the past year NULG returned +11.73% vs +17.54% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), NULG annualized +18.11% vs +14.15% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NULG or VOO?
NULG has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 15.6% for VOO. Worst drawdown: NULG -36.2% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both NULG and VOO?
NULG and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between NULG and VOO?
92.1% of NULG's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 23.4% of VOO's is in holdings NULG also owns. They hold 55 positions in common, counted across the 67 positions we hold weights for in NULG and 505 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, NULG or VOO?
NULG yields 0.10% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than NULG?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. NULG led over the full window, VOO over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. VOO is less concentrated, with 36.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 45.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.