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Is Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (NULG) a Strong ETF Right Now?
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Launched on 12/13/2016, the Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (NULG - Free Report) is a smart beta exchange traded fund offering broad exposure to the Style Box - Large Cap Growth category of the market.
What Are Smart Beta ETFs?
The ETF industry has traditionally been dominated by products based on market capitalization weighted indexes that are designed to represent the market or a particular segment of the market.
Investors who believe in market efficiency should consider market cap indexes, as they replicate market returns in a low-cost, convenient, and transparent way.
There are some investors, though, who think it's possible to beat the market with great stock selection; this group likely invests in another class of funds known as smart beta, which track non-cap weighted strategies.
By attempting to pick stocks that have a better chance of risk-return performance, non-cap weighted indexes are based on certain fundamental characteristics, or a combination of such.
Methodologies like equal-weighting, one of the simplest options out there, fundamental weighting, and volatility/momentum based weighting are all choices offered to investors in this space, but not all of them can deliver superior returns.
Fund Sponsor & Index
Because the fund has amassed over $2.26 billion, this makes it one of the larger ETFs in the Style Box - Large Cap Growth. NULG is managed by Nuveen. This particular fund seeks to match the performance of the TIAA ESG USA Large-Cap Growth Index before fees and expenses.
The Nuveen ESG USA Large-Cap Growth Index composes of equity securities issued by large capitalization companies listed on U.S. exchanges.
Cost & Other Expenses
When considering an ETF's total return, expense ratios are an important factor. And, cheaper funds can significantly outperform their more expensive cousins in the long term if all other factors remain equal.
Operating expenses on an annual basis are 0.26% for NULG, making it one of the cheaper products in the space.
It's 12-month trailing dividend yield comes in at 0.11%.
Sector Exposure and Top Holdings
Most ETFs are very transparent products, and disclose their holdings on a daily basis. ETFs also offer diversified exposure, which minimizes single stock risk, though it's still important for investors to research a fund's holdings.
NULG's heaviest allocation is in the Information Technology sector, which is about 52.3% of the portfolio. Its Consumer Discretionary and Industrials round out the top three.
When you look at individual holdings, Nvidia Corp (NVDA) accounts for about 16.23% of the fund's total assets, followed by Broadcom Inc (AVGO) and Visa Inc (V).
The top 10 holdings account for about 43.08% of total assets under management.
Performance and Risk
The ETF has added about 0.69% so far this year and is up about 9.71% in the last one year (as of 01/23/2026). In the past 52-week period, it has traded between $70.54 and $102.52
The ETF has a beta of 1.19 and standard deviation of 18.50% for the trailing three-year period. With about 69 holdings, it effectively diversifies company-specific risk .
Alternatives
Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF is an excellent option for investors seeking to outperform the Style Box - Large Cap Growth segment of the market. There are other ETFs in the space which investors could consider as well.
Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV) tracks FTSE US ALL CAP CHOICE INDEX and the iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) tracks MSCI USA ESG Focus Index. Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF has $11.93 billion in assets, iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF has $15.86 billion. ESGV has an expense ratio of 0.09% and ESGU changes 0.15%.
Investors looking for cheaper and lower-risk options should consider traditional market cap weighted ETFs that aim to match the returns of the Style Box - Large Cap Growth
Bottom Line
To learn more about this product and other ETFs, screen for products that match your investment objectives and read articles on latest developments in the ETF investing universe, please visit Zacks ETF Center.
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Is Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (NULG) a Strong ETF Right Now?
Launched on 12/13/2016, the Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF (NULG - Free Report) is a smart beta exchange traded fund offering broad exposure to the Style Box - Large Cap Growth category of the market.
What Are Smart Beta ETFs?
The ETF industry has traditionally been dominated by products based on market capitalization weighted indexes that are designed to represent the market or a particular segment of the market.
Investors who believe in market efficiency should consider market cap indexes, as they replicate market returns in a low-cost, convenient, and transparent way.
There are some investors, though, who think it's possible to beat the market with great stock selection; this group likely invests in another class of funds known as smart beta, which track non-cap weighted strategies.
By attempting to pick stocks that have a better chance of risk-return performance, non-cap weighted indexes are based on certain fundamental characteristics, or a combination of such.
Methodologies like equal-weighting, one of the simplest options out there, fundamental weighting, and volatility/momentum based weighting are all choices offered to investors in this space, but not all of them can deliver superior returns.
Fund Sponsor & Index
Because the fund has amassed over $2.26 billion, this makes it one of the larger ETFs in the Style Box - Large Cap Growth. NULG is managed by Nuveen. This particular fund seeks to match the performance of the TIAA ESG USA Large-Cap Growth Index before fees and expenses.
The Nuveen ESG USA Large-Cap Growth Index composes of equity securities issued by large capitalization companies listed on U.S. exchanges.
Cost & Other Expenses
When considering an ETF's total return, expense ratios are an important factor. And, cheaper funds can significantly outperform their more expensive cousins in the long term if all other factors remain equal.
Operating expenses on an annual basis are 0.26% for NULG, making it one of the cheaper products in the space.
It's 12-month trailing dividend yield comes in at 0.11%.
Sector Exposure and Top Holdings
Most ETFs are very transparent products, and disclose their holdings on a daily basis. ETFs also offer diversified exposure, which minimizes single stock risk, though it's still important for investors to research a fund's holdings.
NULG's heaviest allocation is in the Information Technology sector, which is about 52.3% of the portfolio. Its Consumer Discretionary and Industrials round out the top three.
When you look at individual holdings, Nvidia Corp (NVDA) accounts for about 16.23% of the fund's total assets, followed by Broadcom Inc (AVGO) and Visa Inc (V).
The top 10 holdings account for about 43.08% of total assets under management.
Performance and Risk
The ETF has added about 0.69% so far this year and is up about 9.71% in the last one year (as of 01/23/2026). In the past 52-week period, it has traded between $70.54 and $102.52
The ETF has a beta of 1.19 and standard deviation of 18.50% for the trailing three-year period. With about 69 holdings, it effectively diversifies company-specific risk .
Alternatives
Nuveen ESG Large-Cap Growth ETF is an excellent option for investors seeking to outperform the Style Box - Large Cap Growth segment of the market. There are other ETFs in the space which investors could consider as well.
Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV) tracks FTSE US ALL CAP CHOICE INDEX and the iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) tracks MSCI USA ESG Focus Index. Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF has $11.93 billion in assets, iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF has $15.86 billion. ESGV has an expense ratio of 0.09% and ESGU changes 0.15%.
Investors looking for cheaper and lower-risk options should consider traditional market cap weighted ETFs that aim to match the returns of the Style Box - Large Cap Growth
Bottom Line
To learn more about this product and other ETFs, screen for products that match your investment objectives and read articles on latest developments in the ETF investing universe, please visit Zacks ETF Center.