EAOA vs. ESGU

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

EAOA (iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF) and ESGU (iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EAOA is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the BlackRock ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation Index, while ESGU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, EAOA returned 8.85%/yr vs 13.13%/yr for ESGU. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. EAOA charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for ESGU.

Performance

EAOA vs. ESGU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF (EAOA) and iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EAOA achieves a 10.71% return, which is significantly lower than ESGU's 11.95% return.

EAOA

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 4.64%
• YTD: 10.71%
• 6M: 11.62%
• 1Y: 25.70%
• 3Y*: 17.47%
• 5Y*: 8.85%
• 10Y*: —

ESGU

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 6.02%
• YTD: 11.95%
• 6M: 12.23%
• 1Y: 29.71%
• 3Y*: 22.33%
• 5Y*: 13.13%
• 10Y*: —

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

EAOA vs. ESGU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
EAOA iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF	10.71%	18.41%	13.79%	18.27%	-17.76%	14.52%	19.79%
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF	11.95%	16.90%	24.31%	25.79%	-20.27%	26.89%	23.53%

Correlation

The correlation between EAOA and ESGU is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2020	0.96

The correlation between EAOA and ESGU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

EAOA vs. ESGU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EAOA	ESGU
Technology	28.9%	38.7%
Financial Services	13.5%	11.5%
Industrials	9.0%	8.4%
Consumer Cyclical	7.7%	9.4%
Communication Services	7.3%	9.8%
Healthcare	6.8%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	3.7%	3.9%
Energy	3.0%	3.5%
Basic Materials	2.4%	1.6%
Utilities	2.3%	2.4%
Real Estate	1.6%	2.1%

Return for Risk

EAOA vs. ESGU — Risk / Return Rank

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

EAOA

EAOA Risk / Return Rank: 71
EAOA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
EAOA Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
EAOA Omega Ratio Rank: 72
EAOA Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
EAOA Martin Ratio Rank: 74

ESGU

ESGU Risk / Return Rank: 72
ESGU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
ESGU Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
ESGU Omega Ratio Rank: 73
ESGU Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
ESGU Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

EAOA vs. ESGU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF (EAOA) and iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU). 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.

	EAOA	ESGU	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.41	2.46	-0.05
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.38	3.31	+0.07
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.44	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.20	3.28	-0.08
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.21	14.96	-0.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EAOA vs. ESGU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EAOA Sharpe Ratio is 2.41, which is comparable to the ESGU Sharpe Ratio of 2.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EAOA and ESGU, 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

	EAOA	ESGU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.41	2.46	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67	0.76	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.94	0.84	+0.10

Drawdowns

EAOA vs. ESGU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EAOA drawdown since its inception was -25.06%, smaller than the maximum ESGU drawdown of -33.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EAOA and ESGU.

Drawdown Indicators

	EAOA	ESGU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.06%	-33.87%	+8.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.17%	-9.26%	+1.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.84%	-19.32%	+5.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.06%	-26.15%	+1.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.31%	-4.89%	-0.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.84%	2.03%	-0.19%

Volatility

EAOA vs. ESGU - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF (EAOA) has a higher volatility of 3.33% compared to iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) at 2.77%. This indicates that EAOA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ESGU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EAOA	ESGU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.33%	2.77%	+0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.63%	9.17%	-0.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.72%	12.13%	-1.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.24%	17.32%	-4.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.14%	18.60%	-5.46%

EAOA vs. ESGU - Expense Ratio Comparison

EAOA has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than ESGU's 0.15% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

EAOA vs. ESGU - Dividend Comparison

EAOA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.94%, more than ESGU's 0.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EAOA iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF	1.94%	2.10%	2.09%	2.21%	1.93%	1.48%	1.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF	0.91%	0.99%	1.18%	1.43%	1.58%	1.06%	1.27%	1.32%	1.73%	1.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EAOA and ESGU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, EAOA and ESGU move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, EAOA or ESGU?

EAOA has higher volatility (3.33%) compared to ESGU (2.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EAOA dropped -25.06% vs ESGU's -33.87%.

Which ETF is better, EAOA or ESGU?

On 5-year performance, ESGU leads with 13.13% vs 8.85% for EAOA. On fees, ESGU is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, ESGU has been the lower-risk option at 2.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EAOA or ESGU?

Over the 5-year period, ESGU has performed better with a 13.13% return vs 8.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EAOA or ESGU?

ESGU is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for EAOA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EAOA or ESGU?

EAOA has the higher dividend yield at 1.94%, compared with 0.91% for ESGU.

What is the main difference between EAOA and ESGU?

EAOA is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while ESGU is Large Cap Blend Equities. EAOA tracks BlackRock ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation Index, while ESGU tracks MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for EAOA and 0.15% for ESGU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESGU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.46 vs 2.41), 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.