ESMLvsNUSCETF Comparison
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iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Small-Cap ETF (ESML) and NuShares ESG Small-Cap ETF (NUSC) belong to the same industry segment: US Small Cap. Both ETFs have the same top 3 sector exposures: Finance, Technology and Healthcare. ESML is less expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.17%, versus 0.31% for NUSC. ESML is up 18.79% year-to-date (YTD) with +$334M in YTD flows. NUSC performs worse with 14.12% YTD performance, and -$125M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of ESML and NUSC below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.
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ESML vs NUSC performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 10/29/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | ESML NUSC | +3.66%+4.55% | +2.53%+1.29% | +18.79%+14.12% | +20.21%+15.04% | +79.94%+64.20% | +41.55%+26.29% |
| Flows | ESML NUSC | -$61M+$12M | -$78M+$14M | +$334M-$125M | +$330M-$116M | +$606M-$96M | +$941M+$46M |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | ESML NUSC | +13.49%+13.48% | +16.33%+16.23% | +19.46%+19.44% | +21.17%+21.13% |
| Max drawdown | ESML NUSC | -8.35%-9.09% | -9.05%-10.10% | -26.61%-26.88% | -28.52%-28.74% |
| Max drawdown duration | ESML NUSC | 74d74d | 46d53d | 296d379d | 980d1073d |
Trading data
ESML | NUSC | |
Last sale 10/30/2026 at 1:30 PM | $53.48 | $50.22 |
| Previous close 10/29/2026 | $54.19 | $50.90 |
| Consolidated volume 10/29/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of September 30, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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ESML | NUSC | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 10/30/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
ESML | NUSC | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $53.48 | $50.22 |
| 1D performance | -1.31% | -1.34% |
| AuM | $2.76 B | $1.30 B |
| E/R | 0.17% | 0.31% |
Characteristics
ESML | NUSC | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Passive |
| Provider | iShares | Nuveen |
| Benchmark | MSCI USA Small Cap Extended ESG Focus Index | MSCI TIAA ESG USA Small-Cap Index |
| N° of holdings | 905 | 396 |
| Asset class | Equities | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | April 10, 2018 | December 13, 2016 |
| ESG | Yes | Yes |
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Exposure
Countries
ESML
USA
95.91%
Other
4.09%
NUSC
USA
93.3%
Other
6.7%
Sectors
ESML
Finance
21.56%
Technology
16.15%
Healthcare
15.79%
Industrials
14.06%
Other
32.43%
NUSC
Finance
24.34%
Technology
16.04%
Healthcare
15.1%
Industrials
14.47%
Other
30.05%
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Diversification
ESML
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
6.45%
NUSC
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
13.51%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of September 30, 2026
ESML
Moderna, Inc.
1.07%
Assurant, Inc.
0.61%
US Foods Holding Corp.
0.53%
Ovintiv, Inc.
0.42%
Guardant Health, Inc.
0.38%
ONE Gas, Inc.
0.38%
Revvity, Inc.
0.37%
Royal Gold, Inc.
0.36%
Dynatrace, Inc.
0.35%
Nutanix, Inc.
0.35%
Equitable Holdings, Inc.
0.34%
Trimble, Inc.
0.33%
TXNM Energy, Inc.
0.32%
Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.
0.32%
Woodward, Inc.
0.31%
NUSC
Viatris, Inc.
1.16%
East West Bancorp, Inc.
1.04%
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
1.03%
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.
1.01%
TD SYNNEX Corp.
0.97%
Performance Food Group Co.
0.88%
Nextpower, Inc.
0.87%
Medpace Holdings, Inc.
0.86%
CoStar Group, Inc.
0.84%
AGNC Investment Corp.
0.83%
Royal Gold, Inc.
0.82%
Service Corp. International
0.82%
Popular, Inc.
0.80%
Avantor, Inc.
0.80%
Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
0.78%
Frequently asked questions about ESML and NUSC
How have the ESML and NUSC ETFs performed in 2026?
As of October 29, 2026, ESML is up 18.79% year-to-date (YTD), while NUSC has returned 14.12%. That puts ESML better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: ESML or NUSC?
Year-to-date, the ESML ETF saw +$334M in flows, compared to -$125M for NUSC.
Which ETF is more volatile: ESML or NUSC?
Over the past year, ESML had a volatility of 16.33%, while NUSC experienced 16.23%.
Which ETF is bigger: ESML or NUSC?
As of October 29, 2026, ESML holds $2.76 B in assets under management (AUM), while NUSC manages $1.30 B.
What sectors do the ESML and NUSC ETFs invest in?
ESML leans toward sectors like Finance, Technology and Healthcare. Meanwhile, NUSC focuses on Finance, Technology and Healthcare.
What are the top holdings of the ESML ETF and NUSC ETF?
ESML top holdings include Moderna, Inc., Assurant, Inc. and US Foods Holding Corp.. NUSC holds in its top three: Viatris, Inc., East West Bancorp, Inc. and Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc..
Which ETF is more diversified: ESML or NUSC?
ESML holds 906 securities with 6.45% of its assets in the top 15. NUSC has 398 securities and a top 15 weight of 13.51%.
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