EFAX vs. ESGU

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EFAX (SPDR MSCI EAFE Fossil Fuel Free ETF) and ESGU (iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EFAX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE ex Fossil Fuels 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, EFAX returned 7.48%/yr vs 12.74%/yr for ESGU. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EFAX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for ESGU.

Performance

EFAX vs. ESGU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR MSCI EAFE Fossil Fuel Free ETF (EFAX) 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, EFAX achieves a 6.64% return, which is significantly lower than ESGU's 11.06% return.

EFAX

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: 3.93%
• YTD: 6.64%
• 6M: 9.20%
• 1Y: 18.68%
• 3Y*: 16.03%
• 5Y*: 7.48%
• 10Y*: —

ESGU

• 1D: -0.79%
• 1M: 5.51%
• YTD: 11.06%
• 6M: 10.93%
• 1Y: 27.83%
• 3Y*: 22.00%
• 5Y*: 12.74%
• 10Y*: —

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

EFAX vs. ESGU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EFAX SPDR MSCI EAFE Fossil Fuel Free ETF	6.64%	31.30%	4.78%	18.02%	-16.72%	10.50%	9.57%	23.52%	-14.78%	23.93%
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF	11.06%	16.90%	24.31%	25.79%	-20.27%	26.89%	22.54%	31.72%	-4.32%	21.07%

Correlation

The correlation between EFAX and ESGU is 0.76, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2016	0.73

The correlation between EFAX and ESGU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

EFAX vs. ESGU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EFAX	ESGU
Financial Services	18.6%	11.5%
Technology	11.6%	38.7%
Industrials	9.5%	8.4%
Healthcare	9.0%	8.4%
Consumer Cyclical	6.1%	9.4%
Basic Materials	3.9%	1.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	3.9%
Communication Services	3.2%	9.8%
Real Estate	1.6%	2.1%
Energy	1.5%	3.5%
Utilities	1.2%	2.4%

Return for Risk

EFAX vs. ESGU — Risk / Return Rank

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

EFAX

EFAX Risk / Return Rank: 33
EFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
EFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
EFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
EFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
EFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 36

ESGU

ESGU Risk / Return Rank: 67
ESGU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
ESGU Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
ESGU Omega Ratio Rank: 67
ESGU Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
ESGU Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

EFAX vs. ESGU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR MSCI EAFE Fossil Fuel Free ETF (EFAX) 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.

	EFAX	ESGU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.20	2.30	-1.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.77	3.12	-1.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.41	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.52	3.02	-1.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.61	13.75	-8.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EFAX vs. ESGU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EFAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.20, which is lower than the ESGU Sharpe Ratio of 2.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EFAX 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

	EFAX	ESGU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.20	2.30	-1.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.74	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.83	-0.31

Drawdowns

EFAX vs. ESGU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EFAX drawdown since its inception was -32.53%, roughly equal to the maximum ESGU drawdown of -33.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EFAX and ESGU.

Drawdown Indicators

	EFAX	ESGU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.53%	-33.87%	+1.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.38%	-9.26%	-3.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.52%	-19.32%	+5.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.67%	-26.15%	-5.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.83%	-0.79%	-1.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.97%	-4.89%	-2.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.34%	2.03%	+1.31%

Volatility

EFAX vs. ESGU - Volatility Comparison

SPDR MSCI EAFE Fossil Fuel Free ETF (EFAX) has a higher volatility of 5.24% compared to iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) at 2.92%. This indicates that EFAX'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

	EFAX	ESGU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.24%	2.92%	+2.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.11%	9.20%	+3.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.67%	12.16%	+3.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.66%	17.32%	-0.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.10%	18.60%	-1.50%

EFAX vs. ESGU - Expense Ratio Comparison

EFAX has a 0.20% 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

EFAX vs. ESGU - Dividend Comparison

EFAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.22%, more than ESGU's 0.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
EFAX SPDR MSCI EAFE Fossil Fuel Free ETF	3.22%	3.31%	2.74%	2.71%	2.81%	2.58%	1.69%	2.71%	3.05%	2.89%	0.26%
ESGU iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF	0.92%	0.99%	1.18%	1.43%	1.58%	1.06%	1.27%	1.32%	1.73%	1.82%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EFAX and ESGU in my portfolio?

EFAX and ESGU have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EFAX or ESGU?

EFAX has higher volatility (5.24%) compared to ESGU (2.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EFAX dropped -32.53% vs ESGU's -33.87%.

Which ETF is better, EFAX or ESGU?

On 5-year performance, ESGU leads with 12.74% vs 7.48% for EFAX. On fees, ESGU is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, ESGU has been the lower-risk option at 2.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EFAX or ESGU?

Over the 5-year period, ESGU has performed better with a 12.74% return vs 7.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EFAX or ESGU?

ESGU is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for EFAX.

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

EFAX has the higher dividend yield at 3.22%, compared with 0.92% for ESGU.

What is the main difference between EFAX and ESGU?

EFAX is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while ESGU is Large Cap Blend Equities. EFAX tracks MSCI EAFE ex Fossil Fuels Index, while ESGU tracks MSCI USA Extended ESG Focus Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for EFAX and 0.15% for ESGU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESGU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 1.20), 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.