BNDC vs. ESG

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

BNDC (FlexShares Core Select Bond Fund) and ESG (FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - BNDC is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Northern Trust, while ESG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the STOXX USA ESG Select KPIs Index. BNDC is actively managed, while ESG is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BNDC returned -0.19%/yr vs 12.68%/yr for ESG. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BNDC charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for ESG.

Performance

BNDC vs. ESG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares Core Select Bond Fund (BNDC) and FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BNDC achieves a 0.07% return, which is significantly lower than ESG's 11.94% return.

BNDC

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 0.12%
• YTD: 0.07%
• 6M: 0.16%
• 1Y: 4.25%
• 3Y*: 3.76%
• 5Y*: -0.19%
• 10Y*: —

ESG

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 5.79%
• YTD: 11.94%
• 6M: 12.94%
• 1Y: 25.62%
• 3Y*: 20.64%
• 5Y*: 12.68%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BNDC vs. ESG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BNDC FlexShares Core Select Bond Fund	0.07%	7.29%	0.86%	5.36%	-13.54%	-2.01%	8.66%	9.57%	-1.49%	3.97%
ESG FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund	11.94%	16.04%	20.22%	27.86%	-19.89%	28.48%	20.75%	31.74%	-5.17%	22.78%

Correlation

The correlation between BNDC and ESG is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.23
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 22, 2016	0.09

The correlation between BNDC and ESG shifts across timeframes, from 0.09 (all time) to 0.28 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

BNDC vs. ESG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BNDC	ESG
Financial Services	100.0%	16.9%
Basic Materials	-	3.0%
Communication Services	-	1.0%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	9.2%
Energy	-	3.1%
Healthcare	-	11.2%
Industrials	-	4.5%
Real Estate	-	2.7%
Technology	-	36.7%
Utilities	-	0.7%

Return for Risk

BNDC vs. ESG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

BNDC

BNDC Risk / Return Rank: 30
BNDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
BNDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
BNDC Omega Ratio Rank: 28
BNDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
BNDC Martin Ratio Rank: 30

ESG

ESG Risk / Return Rank: 69
ESG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
ESG Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
ESG Omega Ratio Rank: 69
ESG Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
ESG Martin Ratio Rank: 70

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BNDC vs. ESG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Core Select Bond Fund (BNDC) and FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	BNDC	ESG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.09	2.31	-1.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.62	3.20	-1.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.41	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.49	2.97	-1.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.39	12.88	-8.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BNDC vs. ESG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BNDC Sharpe Ratio is 1.09, which is lower than the ESG Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BNDC and ESG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BNDC	ESG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.09	2.31	-1.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.03	0.76	-0.79
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.21	0.83	-0.62

Drawdowns

BNDC vs. ESG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BNDC drawdown since its inception was -18.80%, smaller than the maximum ESG drawdown of -32.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BNDC and ESG.

Drawdown Indicators

	BNDC	ESG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.80%	-32.53%	+13.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.87%	-8.68%	+5.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.30%	-18.32%	+12.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.60%	-26.04%	+7.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.34%	-0.68%	-2.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.35%	-5.07%	-2.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.97%	2.00%	-1.03%

Volatility

BNDC vs. ESG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FlexShares Core Select Bond Fund (BNDC) is 1.23%, while FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund (ESG) has a volatility of 2.85%. This indicates that BNDC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ESG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BNDC	ESG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.23%	2.85%	-1.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.78%	8.47%	-5.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.99%	11.16%	-7.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.07%	16.73%	-10.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.05%	18.35%	-10.30%

BNDC vs. ESG - Expense Ratio Comparison

BNDC has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than ESG's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

BNDC vs. ESG - Dividend Comparison

BNDC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.15%, more than ESG's 0.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
BNDC FlexShares Core Select Bond Fund	4.15%	4.16%	3.81%	3.19%	2.64%	1.72%	2.61%	2.89%	2.86%	2.50%	0.64%
ESG FlexShares STOXX US ESG Select Index Fund	0.87%	0.96%	1.18%	1.10%	1.38%	1.03%	1.33%	1.51%	1.72%	1.52%	0.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BNDC and ESG in my portfolio?

BNDC and ESG have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BNDC or ESG?

ESG has higher volatility (2.85%) compared to BNDC (1.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BNDC dropped -18.80% vs ESG's -32.53%.

Which ETF is better, BNDC or ESG?

On 5-year performance, ESG leads with 12.68% vs -0.19% for BNDC. On fees, ESG is cheaper at 0.32% per year. On volatility, BNDC has been the lower-risk option at 1.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BNDC or ESG?

Over the 5-year period, ESG has performed better with a 12.68% return vs -0.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BNDC or ESG?

ESG is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for BNDC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BNDC or ESG?

BNDC has the higher dividend yield at 4.15%, compared with 0.87% for ESG.

What is the main difference between BNDC and ESG?

BNDC is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while ESG is Large Cap Growth Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for BNDC and 0.32% for ESG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 1.09), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.