IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF (ESGB) belongs to the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with ESGB. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to ESGB
ESGB charges 0.39% annually. There are 26 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.05%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Core-Plus Bond Index ETF | 0.05% | 117.00M | Dec 2025 | ESGB vs BNDP | |
| iShares Core 5-10 Year USD Bond ETF | 0.06% | 276.82M | Nov 2016 | ESGB vs IMTB | |
| iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF | 0.06% | 42.71B | Jun 2014 | ESGB vs IUSB | |
| iShares ESG Advanced Total USD Bond Market ETF | 0.12% | 714.90M | Jun 2020 | ESGB vs EUSB | |
| iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF | 0.17% | 450.15M | Apr 2014 | ESGB vs BYLD |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to ESGB
Among 52 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with risk / return rank data, the top risk-adjusted alternatives shown here go as high as 91.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 91 | 46.19M | Sep 2023 | ESGB vs ZHOG | |
| Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF | 89 | 17.73M | Jan 2025 | ESGB vs BNDS | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 73 | 154.00M | Jun 2021 | ESGB vs MBS | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | 63 | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | ESGB vs SJCP | |
| Cambria Fixed Income Trend ETF | 60 | — | Mar 2025 | ESGB vs CFIT |
Top Performing ESGB Alternatives (YTD)
Among 56 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with YTD return data, the top-performing alternatives shown here go as high as 4.98%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure Capital Bond Income ETF | 4.98% | 17.73M | Jan 2025 | ESGB vs BNDS | |
| Cambria Fixed Income Trend ETF | 4.77% | — | Mar 2025 | ESGB vs CFIT | |
| Neos Enhanced Income Aggregate Bond ETF | 1.28% | 186.26M | Aug 2022 | ESGB vs BNDI | |
| iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF | 1.23% | 450.15M | Apr 2014 | ESGB vs BYLD | |
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 1.19% | 46.19M | Sep 2023 | ESGB vs ZHOG |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to ESGB
Among 57 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with 1-year volatility data, the lowest-volatility alternatives shown here go as low as 1.57%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | 1.57% | 46.19M | Sep 2023 | ESGB vs ZHOG | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | 2.53% | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | ESGB vs SJCP | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | 2.77% | 154.00M | Jun 2021 | ESGB vs MBS | |
| First Trust Commercial Mortgage Opportunities ETF | 3.08% | 35.44M | Feb 2024 | ESGB vs CAAA | |
| DoubleLine Opportunistic Bond ETF | 3.23% | 733.52M | Mar 2022 | ESGB vs DBND |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to ESGB
Among 52 ETFs in the Intermediate Core-Plus Bond category with 1-year drawdown data, the lowest-drawdown alternatives shown here go as shallow as -1.31%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F/m Opportunistic Income ETF | -1.31% | 46.19M | Sep 2023 | ESGB vs ZHOG | |
| Kingsbarn Tactical Bond ETF | -1.77% | 1.18M | Dec 2021 | ESGB vs KDRN | |
| SanJac Alpha Core Plus Bond ETF | -2.01% | 2.28M | Sep 2024 | ESGB vs SJCP | |
| First Trust Commercial Mortgage Opportunities ETF | -2.08% | 35.44M | Feb 2024 | ESGB vs CAAA | |
| Angel Oak Mortgage-Backed Securities ETF | -2.20% | 154.00M | Jun 2021 | ESGB vs MBS |
Other ETFs from IndexIQ
The 6 most viewed IndexIQ ETFs shown here include MMCA, IQHI, WRND and span 6 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $279M.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IQ MacKay California Municipal Intermediate ETF | Municipal Bonds | 69 | 0.90% | 78.67M | Dec 2021 | ESGB vs MMCA | |
| IQ MacKay ESG High Income ETF | High Yield Bonds | 68 | 2.37% | 113.42M | Oct 2022 | ESGB vs IQHI | |
| IQ Global Equity R&D Leaders ETF | Global Equities | 59 | 14.01% | 8.84M | Feb 2022 | ESGB vs WRND | |
| IQ CBRE Real Assets ETF | REIT | 47 | 9.84% | 6.52M | May 2023 | ESGB vs IQRA | |
| IQ U.S. Large Cap R&D Leaders ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 47 | 10.85% | 204.53M | Feb 2022 | ESGB vs LRND | |
| IQ Candriam U.S. Mid Cap Equity ETF | Mid Cap Blend Equities | 50 | 14.04% | 278.74M | Oct 2022 | ESGB vs IQSM |
Often Compared With ESGB
Investors most often compare ESGB with GEQT.TO, APCB, AUMI. These 20 comparison targets span 13 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare ESGB with Any Fund or Stock
Compare ESGB with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair ESGB with funds that move differently
IQ MacKay ESG Core Plus Bond ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to ESGB.
Explore ESGB Diversifiers