NUEM ETF — Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF

Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF (NUEM)

Updated November 4, 2026.

NUEM is an ETF. Its distribution rate is 3.28%, its trailing-12-month yield is 3.28%, its expense ratio is 0.36%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 89/100 (Safe). Total return is 85.1% over the past 9.4 years, 179.7 points behind SPY at 264.8%.

Nuveen ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF is an index-tracking fund that seeks to replicate the performance of an MSCI ESG index of emerging-market equities, holding securities that meet environmental, social, and governance screening criteria. The fund carries a modest current distribution rate and distributes annually, with a low expense ratio of 0.36%. It appeals to income-conscious investors seeking emerging-market equity exposure combined with ESG-focused screening.

NUEM performance versus SPY

As of Nov 4, 2026

Total return is 85.1% over the past 9.4 years, 179.7 points behind SPY at 264.8%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 9.9%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 13.1%.

NUEM key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

89 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

2.92%

Issuer

Nuveen

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

06/06/2017

Expense ratio

0.36%

Distribution rate

3.28%

Distribution frequency

Annual

Trailing yield

3.28%

Last close

$38.80 (as of 2026-11-04)

AUM

$442,590,189

Average volume

15,945

Dividend

$1.274

Ex-dividend date

12/18/2025

Payment date

12/19/2025

Beta

1.04

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (3.28%) has no calculation basis on file. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (3.28%) is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: Nuveen; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

NUEM risks and drawbacks

NUEM's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are annual, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 13.1%.

Who may consider NUEM — and who may not

NUEM may suit someone looking for a high Distribution Safety Score, moderate current income with a quality tilt. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (NUEM pays annual); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

More on NUEM

• All tickers starting with N

Tagged: Emerging Markets, International.

Frequently asked questions

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