DSI vs. ESN

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

DSI (iShares ESG MSCI KLD 400 ETF) and ESN (Essential 40 Stock ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - DSI tracks the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index while ESN tracks the Essential 40 Stock Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, DSI returned 23.30% vs 28.79% for ESN. Their 0.72 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. DSI charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for ESN.

Performance

DSI vs. ESN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG MSCI KLD 400 ETF (DSI) and Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DSI achieves a 12.46% return, which is significantly lower than ESN's 17.69% return.

DSI

• 1D: 1.97%
• 1M: 2.00%
• 6M: 10.56%
• YTD: 12.46%
• 1Y: 23.30%
• 3Y*: 20.53%
• 5Y*: 12.38%
• 10Y*: 15.02%
• ALL TIME*: 10.75%

ESN

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 0.63%
• 6M: 12.36%
• YTD: 17.69%
• 1Y: 28.79%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.00%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DSI iShares ESG MSCI KLD 400 ETF	$16.78M	$14.31M	$16.21M
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	$2.27M	$1.62M	$1.62M

DSI vs. ESN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
DSI iShares ESG MSCI KLD 400 ETF	12.46%	18.03%	0.14%
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	17.69%	16.52%	-3.53%

Correlation

The correlation between DSI and ESN is 0.69, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 21, 2024	0.72

The correlation between DSI and ESN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DSI vs. ESN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

DSI

DSI Risk / Return Rank: 65
DSI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
DSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
DSI Omega Ratio Rank: 66
DSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
DSI Martin Ratio Rank: 66

ESN

ESN Risk / Return Rank: 94
ESN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
ESN Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
ESN Omega Ratio Rank: 93
ESN Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
ESN Martin Ratio Rank: 93

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

DSI vs. ESN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG MSCI KLD 400 ETF (DSI) and Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	DSI	ESN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.62	2.91	-1.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.27	4.00	-1.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.51	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.12	4.50	-2.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.22	18.06	-9.84

DSI vs. ESN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DSI Sharpe Ratio is 1.62, which is lower than the ESN Sharpe Ratio of 2.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DSI and ESN, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

DSI vs. ESN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DSI drawdown since its inception was -54.23%, which is greater than ESN's maximum drawdown of -13.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DSI and ESN.

Drawdown Indicators

	DSI	ESN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.23%	-13.60%	-40.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.05%	-6.42%	-4.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.58%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.36%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.10%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.48%	-1.80%	-5.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.84%	1.60%	+1.24%

Volatility

DSI vs. ESN - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG MSCI KLD 400 ETF (DSI) has a higher volatility of 4.96% compared to Essential 40 Stock ETF (ESN) at 2.69%. This indicates that DSI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ESN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DSI	ESN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.96%	2.69%	+2.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.78%	7.51%	+4.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.48%	9.97%	+4.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.14%	13.04%	+5.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.75%	13.04%	+5.71%

DSI vs. ESN - Expense Ratio Comparison

DSI has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than ESN's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

DSI vs. ESN - Dividend Comparison

DSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.86%, more than ESN's 0.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DSI iShares ESG MSCI KLD 400 ETF	0.86%	0.92%	1.03%	1.19%	1.39%	0.99%	1.22%	1.40%	1.63%	1.28%	1.51%	1.46%
ESN Essential 40 Stock ETF	0.77%	0.91%	0.76%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DSI and ESN in my portfolio?

DSI and ESN have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DSI or ESN?

DSI has higher volatility (4.96%) compared to ESN (2.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DSI dropped -54.23% vs ESN's -13.60%.

Which ETF is better, DSI or ESN?

On 1-year performance, ESN leads with 28.79% vs 23.30% for DSI. On fees, DSI is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, ESN has been the lower-risk option at 2.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DSI or ESN?

Over the 1-year period, ESN has performed better with a 28.79% return vs 23.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DSI or ESN?

DSI is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for ESN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DSI or ESN?

DSI has the higher dividend yield at 0.86%, compared with 0.77% for ESN.

What is the main difference between DSI and ESN?

DSI tracks MSCI KLD 400 Social Index, while ESN tracks Essential 40 Stock Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and KKM. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for DSI and 0.70% for ESN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.91 vs 1.62), 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.