EAOA vs. ESGU
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 8.15%/yr vs 11.91%/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
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with EAOA having a 8.44% return and ESGU slightly lower at 8.38%.
EAOA
- 1D
- -1.52%
- 1M
- 0.18%
- YTD
- 8.44%
- 6M
- 7.91%
- 1Y
- 21.71%
- 3Y*
- 16.45%
- 5Y*
- 8.15%
- 10Y*
- —
ESGU
- 1D
- -1.34%
- 1M
- -1.03%
- YTD
- 8.38%
- 6M
- 7.35%
- 1Y
- 23.73%
- 3Y*
- 20.47%
- 5Y*
- 11.91%
- 10Y*
- —
EAOA vs. ESGU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EAOA iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF | 8.44% | 18.41% | 13.79% | 18.27% | -17.76% | 14.52% | 19.79% |
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF | 8.38% | 16.90% | 24.31% | 25.79% | -20.27% | 26.89% | 23.69% |
Correlation
The correlation between EAOA and ESGU is 0.97 - 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 | 0.97 |
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 18, 2020 | 0.96 |
The correlation between EAOA and ESGU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
EAOA vs. ESGU — Risk / Return Rank
EAOA
ESGU
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.
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.
| EAOA | ESGU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.04 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.15 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.33 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.67 | 2.58 | +0.09 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.55 | 11.27 | +0.28 |
Loading charts...
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.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| EAOA | ESGU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest 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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.05% | -3.19% | +1.14% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.27% | -4.88% | -0.39% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.88% | 2.11% | -0.23% |
Volatility
EAOA vs. ESGU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF (EAOA) is 4.64%, while iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) has a volatility of 4.97%. This indicates that EAOA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ESGU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| EAOA | ESGU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.64% | 4.97% | -0.33% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.51% | 10.11% | -0.60% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.44% | 12.81% | -1.37% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.37% | 17.42% | -4.05% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.20% | 18.60% | -5.40% |
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 1.98%, more than ESGU's 0.95% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EAOA iShares ESG Aware Aggressive Allocation ETF | 1.98% | 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 | 0.95% | 0.99% | 1.18% | 1.43% | 1.58% | 1.06% | 1.27% | 1.32% | 1.73% | 1.82% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, 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.
ESGU has higher volatility (4.97%) compared to EAOA (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EAOA dropped -25.06% vs ESGU's -33.87%.
On 5-year performance, ESGU leads with 11.91% vs 8.15% for EAOA. On fees, ESGU is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, EAOA has been the lower-risk option at 4.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, ESGU has performed better with a 11.91% return vs 8.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
ESGU is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for EAOA.
EAOA has the higher dividend yield at 1.98%, compared with 0.95% for 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.
EAOA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 1.86), 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.
Find the right allocation for EAOA and ESGU
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer