EFAV vs. ESGV

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

EFAV (iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF) and ESGV (Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EFAV is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility Index, while ESGV is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the FTSE US All Cap Choice Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, EFAV returned 6.05%/yr vs 12.57%/yr for ESGV. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EFAV charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for ESGV.

Performance

EFAV vs. ESGV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF (EFAV) and Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EFAV achieves a 4.26% return, which is significantly lower than ESGV's 10.76% return.

EFAV

• 1D: -1.03%
• 1M: -0.36%
• YTD: 4.26%
• 6M: 4.77%
• 1Y: 9.52%
• 3Y*: 12.45%
• 5Y*: 6.05%
• 10Y*: 6.30%

ESGV

• 1D: 2.01%
• 1M: 2.85%
• YTD: 10.76%
• 6M: 11.56%
• 1Y: 28.06%
• 3Y*: 21.07%
• 5Y*: 12.57%
• 10Y*: —

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

EFAV vs. ESGV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
EFAV iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF	4.26%	26.00%	5.30%	12.52%	-15.11%	7.20%	-0.06%	16.67%	-7.09%
ESGV Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF	10.76%	16.48%	24.69%	30.79%	-24.04%	26.55%	25.69%	33.36%	-14.45%

Correlation

The correlation between EFAV and ESGV is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 20, 2018	0.64

Over the past year, the correlation between EFAV and ESGV has dropped to 0.43 - well below their long-term average of 0.64, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

EFAV vs. ESGV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EFAV	ESGV
Financial Services	19.4%	12.3%
Industrials	15.9%	4.5%
Healthcare	12.0%	9.8%
Consumer Defensive	11.9%	3.9%
Communication Services	9.6%	13.0%
Utilities	8.8%	0.2%
Energy	8.3%	0.1%
Consumer Cyclical	5.0%	12.2%
Technology	4.6%	39.5%
Real Estate	3.0%	2.8%
Basic Materials	1.5%	1.9%

Return for Risk

EFAV vs. ESGV — Risk / Return Rank

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

EFAV

EFAV Risk / Return Rank: 29
EFAV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
EFAV Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
EFAV Omega Ratio Rank: 26
EFAV Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
EFAV Martin Ratio Rank: 30

ESGV

ESGV Risk / Return Rank: 64
ESGV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
ESGV Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
ESGV Omega Ratio Rank: 68
ESGV Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
ESGV Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

EFAV vs. ESGV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF (EFAV) and Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV). 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.

	EFAV	ESGV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.91	2.02	-1.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.33	2.73	-1.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.36	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.48	2.43	-0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.86	10.21	-6.35

EFAV vs. ESGV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EFAV Sharpe Ratio is 0.91, which is lower than the ESGV Sharpe Ratio of 2.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EFAV and ESGV, 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

EFAV vs. ESGV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EFAV drawdown since its inception was -27.56%, smaller than the maximum ESGV drawdown of -33.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EFAV and ESGV.

Drawdown Indicators

	EFAV	ESGV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.56%	-33.66%	+6.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.46%	-11.60%	+5.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.75%	-20.41%	+11.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.46%	-28.81%	+1.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.56%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.21%	-0.87%	-4.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.77%	-6.41%	+1.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.47%	2.75%	-0.28%

Volatility

EFAV vs. ESGV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF (EFAV) is 3.50%, while Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV) has a volatility of 5.34%. This indicates that EFAV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ESGV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EFAV	ESGV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.50%	5.34%	-1.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.47%	11.13%	-2.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.56%	13.99%	-3.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.84%	18.45%	-6.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.20%	20.60%	-7.40%

EFAV vs. ESGV - Expense Ratio Comparison

EFAV has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than ESGV's 0.09% 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

EFAV vs. ESGV - Dividend Comparison

EFAV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.04%, more than ESGV's 0.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EFAV iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE ETF	5.04%	3.20%	3.24%	3.08%	2.53%	2.47%	1.33%	4.19%	3.34%	2.45%	3.94%	2.49%
ESGV Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF	0.85%	0.91%	1.04%	1.16%	1.42%	0.95%	1.11%	1.27%	0.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EFAV and ESGV in my portfolio?

EFAV and ESGV have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EFAV or ESGV?

ESGV has higher volatility (5.34%) compared to EFAV (3.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EFAV dropped -27.56% vs ESGV's -33.66%.

Which ETF is better, EFAV or ESGV?

On 5-year performance, ESGV leads with 12.57% vs 6.05% for EFAV. On fees, ESGV is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, EFAV has been the lower-risk option at 3.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EFAV or ESGV?

Over the 5-year period, ESGV has performed better with a 12.57% return vs 6.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EFAV or ESGV?

ESGV is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for EFAV.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EFAV or ESGV?

EFAV has the higher dividend yield at 5.04%, compared with 0.85% for ESGV.

What is the main difference between EFAV and ESGV?

EFAV is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while ESGV is Large Cap Blend Equities. EFAV tracks MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility Index, while ESGV tracks FTSE US All Cap Choice Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for EFAV and 0.09% for ESGV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESGV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 0.91), 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.