What Is the NULG ETF? A Complete Guide to Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs
A passive ETF of US large-cap growth stocks with ESG negative screening. It tracks an institution-backed index and is managed by Nuveen.
SubscribeWhat Is This ETF?
This passive ETF tracks the Nuveen-TIAA ESG Large-Cap Growth Index and holds about 83 US large-cap growth stocks that pass ESG screening. Companies tied to alcohol, tobacco, weapons, gambling, and nuclear power are excluded from the index.
It suits long-term investors who want exposure to US large-cap growth performance while reflecting ESG principles in their investments.
Launched by Nuveen in 2016, the ETF uses a passive (index-tracking) management approach.
How Does It Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracked Index | Nuveen-TIAA ESG Large-Cap Growth Index |
| Management Style | Passive (index-tracking) |
| Rebalancing Frequency | Semiannual |
| Dividend Frequency | Annual |
| Total Expense Ratio | 0.26% |
Through ESG screening, the fund selects only companies that meet environmental, social, and governance criteria, then holds large-cap stocks with high growth factor scores on a market-cap-weighted basis. Companies in certain industries (alcohol, tobacco, defense, firearms, nuclear power, and gambling) are excluded from index eligibility in advance.
- A dual-filter structure that combines ESG negative screening with a growth factor
- Its index is backed by an institutional pension fund, which gives the ESG criteria a high level of credibility
Size and Costs
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $3.0B, and the total expense ratio is 0.26% per year.
Its fees are on the low side compared with ETFs in the ESG growth category. Compared with general large-cap growth ETFs such as IVW and VONG, ESG screening leads to some differences in sector composition.
Performance and Trends
1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
52-Week Price RangeWith a high weighting in technology stocks, the fund is closely correlated with the movement of Nasdaq large caps. In periods of strong demand for growth stocks, it tends to show return patterns similar to those of comparable growth indexes.
Backed by institutional and pension fund demand for ESG investing, it has maintained a stable asset base. Its structure means it moves in step with fund flows across US large-cap growth stocks as a whole.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Its strength is a structure that pursues ESG criteria and growth stock exposure at the same time, while its weakness is that sector restrictions narrow diversification somewhat compared with general growth ETFs.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
Alternative ETFs and Related Products
JGRO, FBCG, and TCHP, which appear as comparison targets in the table, are active or growth factor-based large-cap growth ETFs. They offer growth stock exposure similar to NULG but differ in whether they apply ESG screening and in their management approach. If you want pure passive large-cap growth exposure without ESG conditions, VONG (Russell 1000 Growth) or IVW (S&P 500 Growth) can be considered direct substitutes, and if you want broad ESG exposure to large caps, ESGU is also worth comparing.
Peer Comparison ETFs| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 JGRO | JPMorgan Active Growth ETF | $91.05 | -2.8% | $9.8B | 0.44% | 0.16% | -5.1% |
 FBCG | Fidelity Blue Chip Growth ETF | $58.40 | -3.3% | $7.5B | 0.57% | 0.03% | +5.9% |
 TCHP | T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth ETF | $48.20 | -2.9% | $2.1B | 0.57% | - | -4.1% |
 TGRW | T. Rowe Price Growth Stock ETF | $45.10 | -3.0% | $1.1B | 0.52% | - | -4.3% |
 GGUS | Goldman Sachs MarketBeta Russell 1000 Growth Equity ETF | $64.00 | -3.0% | $481.6M | 0.12% | 0.42% | -1.4% |
Top Holdings| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVDA | NVIDIA Corp | 0.32% | $204.64 | -4.2% | $4.93T | 25.9 | 0.38% |
| AVGO | Broadcom Inc | 0.14% | $326.08 | -5.5% | $1.56T | 41.6 | 0.8% |
| GOOGL | Alphabet Inc | 0.06% | $279.84 | -1.4% | $3.41T | 14.6 | 0.31% |
| LLY | Lilly(Eli) & Co | 0.04% | $1417.54 | +3.2% | $1.33T | 46.6 | 0.48% |
| AMD | Advanced Micro Devices Inc | 0.08% | $504.80 | -10.9% | $824.1B | 129.6 | - |
| V | Visa Inc | 0.06% | $413.59 | +0.7% | $782.4B | 34.4 | 0.75% |
Investor Checkpoints
Here are the points to check before investing in NULG. It is important to understand in advance how ESG screening affects portfolio composition, as well as the volatility typical of growth stocks.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total Expense Ratio | Check the cumulative effect of fees over a long holding period | Remains at a low level |
| 🌱 ESG Screening Scope | Check the excluded industries and ESG criteria | Negative screening applied |
| 📊 Sector Concentration | Check the technology weighting and concentration in top holdings | High technology weighting |
| 💱 Exchange Rate | Be aware of how currency moves affect returns converted to won | No currency hedge applied |
By the nature of growth stocks, price swings can widen when interest rates rise or economic slowdown concerns emerge. Sector restrictions from ESG screening can also create performance gaps in certain market environments.
It is a suitable choice for investors who want passive exposure to US large-cap growth stocks while adhering to ESG principles. If you want growth stocks without ESG conditions, we recommend comparing IVW and VONG, and if you want broad ESG exposure, comparing ESGU.
SubscribeDisclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
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