Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund (JCE) CORRESP Correspondence with SEC

Nuveen Investments

333 West Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

P 312.917.7700

www.nuveen.com

February 20, 2019

VIA EDGAR

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, NE

Washington, DC 20549

Attn:  Ms. Elisabeth Bentzinger

Re: Request for Acceleration of the Effective Date of Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund’s Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 Under the Securities Act of 1933 and Amendment No. 4 Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (File Nos. 333-228049 and 811-22003)

Dear Ms. Bentzinger:

Pursuant to Rule 461 under the Securities Act of 1933, we hereby request that the effective date of the above-captioned Registration Statement be accelerated so that the same will become effective Thursday, February 21, 2019, or as soon thereafter as practicable.

In connection with this request, Nuveen Securities, LLC, the underwriter for the Fund, has also signed this letter requesting acceleration.

Very truly yours,

Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund	Nuveen Securities, LLC
/s/ Gifford R. Zimmerman	/s/ Gifford R. Zimmerman
By: Gifford R. Zimmerman	By: Gifford R. Zimmerman
Title: Vice President and Secretary	Title: Managing Director