NBET vs SAEF
Neuberger Berman Energy Transition & Infrastructure ETF vs Schwab Ariel Opportunities ETF
Which is better, NBET or SAEF?
Each has led over a different period.
SAEF has a lower expense ratio. NBET led over the full window, SAEF over 1Y. SAEF is less concentrated, with 34.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.6%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | NBET | SAEF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.59%Best |
| AUM | $54M | $19M |
| Dividend Yield | 2.57% | 0.33% |
| Holdings | 34 | 59 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.3%Best | 25.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -18.7%Best | -27.4% |
| $10,000 over 4.3 years | $17,494Best | $11,162 |
| Top 10 Weight | 59.6% | 34.6%Best |
| Fund Family | Neuberger Berman ETF Trust | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 6, 2022 | Nov 15, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 89 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. NBET has data through Oct 14, 2026 and SAEF through Jul 17, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 7, 2022 to Jul 17, 2026 (4.3 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SAEF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 25.3% compared with 19.3% for NBET. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -18.7% for NBET and -27.4% for SAEF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NBET charges 0.65% per year while SAEF charges 0.59%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $59 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NBET currently yields 2.57% against 0.33% for SAEF.
Holdings Overlap
0.1% of NBET's money is in holdings SAEF also owns. 1.1% of SAEF's money is in holdings NBET also owns.
SAEF and NBET share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 184 days apart, NBET as of Oct 1, 2026 and SAEF as of Mar 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in NBET and 58 in SAEF, against full books of 34 and 59.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 54 positions for SAEF that do not appear in our book for NBET (93.0% of the fund), and 28 for NBET that do not appear in SAEF (97.3%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in NBET | Weight in SAEF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GVMXXSsi Us Gov Money Market Class | 0.11% | 1.09% | 0.98% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NBET and SAEF you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, NBET or SAEF?
NBET has an expense ratio of 0.65% while SAEF charges 0.59%. SAEF is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, NBET or SAEF?
SAEF has been the more volatile fund at 25.3% annualized versus 19.3% for NBET. Worst drawdown: NBET -18.7% vs SAEF -27.4%.
Should I hold both NBET and SAEF?
NBET and SAEF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between NBET and SAEF?
1.1% of SAEF's money is in holdings NBET also owns. 1.1% of SAEF's is in holdings NBET also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in NBET and 58 in SAEF.
Which pays a higher dividend, NBET or SAEF?
NBET yields 2.57% while SAEF yields 0.33%, so NBET currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SAEF better than NBET?
SAEF has a lower expense ratio. NBET led over the full window, SAEF over 1Y. SAEF is less concentrated, with 34.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.