Keep tabs on your favorite ETFs with a personalized weekly tracker. Create a Watchlist now →
ESMLvsNUSCETF Comparison
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. ESML's top 3 sector exposures are Industrials, Financials and Information Technology. In contrast, NUSC's top sector exposures are Financials, Information Technology and Industrials. ESML is less expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.17%, versus 0.31% for NUSC. ESML is up 4.05% year-to-date (YTD) with +$108M in YTD flows. NUSC performs worse with 2.78% YTD performance, and -$120M 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.
ESML vs NUSC performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | ESML NUSC | -4.51%-5.22% | +1.91%+0.77% | +4.05%+2.78% | +25.44%+20.06% | +48.37%+35.62% | +30.58%+17.78% |
| Flows | ESML NUSC | +$15M+$5M | +$134M-$116M | +$108M-$120M | +$77M-$165M | +$273M-$63M | +$1.19B+$359M |
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | ESML NUSC | +16.15%+16.22% | +22.14%+22.08% | +19.77%+19.79% | +21.35%+21.31% |
| Max drawdown | ESML NUSC | -5.16%-5.61% | -16.43%-16.49% | -26.61%-26.88% | -28.52%-28.74% |
| Max drawdown duration | ESML NUSC | 12d16d | 46d46d | 296d379d | 980d1073d |
ESML | NUSC | |
Last sale 3/11/2026 at 1:30 PM | $47.76 | $45.71 |
| Previous close 03/10/2026 | $47.84 | $45.86 |
| Consolidated volume 03/10/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Create an account to view replication metrics
ESML | NUSC | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
ESML | NUSC | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $47.76 | $45.71 |
| 1D performance | -0.17% | -0.33% |
| AuM | $2.24 B | $1.18 B |
| E/R | 0.17% | 0.31% |
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 | 814 | 405 |
| Asset class | Equities | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | April 10, 2018 | December 13, 2016 |
| ESG | Yes | Yes |
Countries
Sectors
Diversification
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
Top 15 holdings
How have the ESML and NUSC ETFs performed in 2026?
As of March 10, 2026, ESML is up 4.05% year-to-date (YTD), while NUSC has returned 2.78%. 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 +$108M in flows, compared to -$120M for NUSC.
Which ETF is more volatile: ESML or NUSC?
Over the past year, ESML had a volatility of 22.14%, while NUSC experienced 22.08%.
Which ETF is bigger: ESML or NUSC?
As of March 10, 2026, ESML holds $2.24 B in assets under management (AUM), while NUSC manages $1.18 B.
What sectors do the ESML and NUSC ETFs invest in?
ESML leans toward sectors like Industrials, Financials and Information Technology. Meanwhile, NUSC focuses on Financials, Information Technology and Industrials.
What are the top holdings of the ESML ETF and NUSC ETF?
ESML top holdings include US80004C2008, US86765Q1067 and US19247G1076. NUSC holds in its top three: TECHNIPFMC PLC, MODERNA INC and EXACT SCIENCES.
Which ETF is more diversified: ESML or NUSC?
ESML holds 899 securities with 7.99% of its assets in the top 15. NUSC has 412 securities and a top 15 weight of 14.04%.
Calamos Investments Powers the Next Phase of the Autocallable Revolution
Join J.P. Morgan’s Bram Kaplan, Head of Americas Equity Derivatives Strategy and Matt Kaufman from Calamos Investments as they dive into the growing global opportunity in autocallable income—an increasingly dominant strategy within structured products, now available through ETFs.
Accepted for 1 CE Credit
