NUSC vs VOO
Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, NUSC or VOO?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. NUSC is less concentrated, with 10.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.4%.
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 | NUSC | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.31% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.92% | 1.08% |
| Holdings | 406 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +13.79% | +13.81%Best |
| 1Y Return | +20.54% | +21.53%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.10% | +21.46%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.98% | +12.87%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.3% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -41.5% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,751 | $18,319Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 10.0%Best | 36.4% |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | 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 3, 2026 (9.7 years).
NUSC 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.
NUSC vs VOO Performance
Nuveen ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) is an ETF from Nuveen and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year NUSC returned +20.54% while VOO returned +21.53%. Year to date, NUSC is up 13.79% versus a gain of 13.81% for VOO.
Over three years, NUSC compounded at +13.10% per year against +21.46% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +4.98% and +12.87% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +14.42% annualized vs +9.75%.
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 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 -41.5% for NUSC 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NUSC charges 0.31% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $31 vs $3 annually, a gap of $28 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NUSC currently yields 0.92% against 1.08% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
6.5% of NUSC's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 0.3% of VOO's money is in holdings NUSC also owns.
NUSC and VOO share little of their money.
13 positions in common, counted across the 399 positions we hold weights for in NUSC and 505 in VOO, against full books of 406 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 485 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for NUSC (99.2% of the fund), and 375 for NUSC that do not appear in VOO (90.2%).
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 NUSC | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| VTRSViatris Inc. | 1.07% | 0.03% | 1.04% |
| HSTHost Hotels & Resorts Inc | 1.06% | 0.02% | 1.04% |
| FDSFactset Research Systems Inc. | 0.72% | 0.01% | 0.71% |
| NCLHNorwegian Cruise Line Holdings | 0.68% | 0.02% | 0.66% |
| AKAMAkamai Technologies Inc. | 0.55% | 0.03% | 0.52% |
| GNRCGenerac Holdings, Inc. | 0.42% | 0.03% | 0.39% |
| BENFranklin Resources Inc. | 0.42% | 0.02% | 0.40% |
| GDDYGodaddy Inc. Class A | 0.42% | 0.02% | 0.40% |
| IVZInvesco Plc | 0.39% | 0.02% | 0.37% |
| CAGConagra Brands Inc. | 0.36% | 0.00% | 0.36% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NUSC and VOO 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, NUSC or VOO?
NUSC has an expense ratio of 0.31% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $28 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NUSC or VOO?
Over the past year NUSC returned +20.54% vs +21.53% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), NUSC annualized +9.75% vs +14.42% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NUSC or VOO?
NUSC has been the more volatile fund at 21.3% annualized versus 15.6% for VOO. Worst drawdown: NUSC -41.5% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both NUSC and VOO?
NUSC and VOO 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 NUSC and VOO?
6.5% of NUSC's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 0.3% of VOO's is in holdings NUSC also owns. They hold 13 positions in common, counted across the 399 positions we hold weights for in NUSC and 505 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, NUSC or VOO?
NUSC yields 0.92% while VOO yields 1.08%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than NUSC?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. NUSC is less concentrated, with 10.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.